UK Horse Racing Tips: Gowran Park

BELLE THE TIGRESS has shown nice ability and looks capable of further progression. She showed promise on debut in November and given the way she finished so well at Naas last month, can be counted upon to again run well and might also improve. Kish Bank easily won his point-to-point before landing a bumper in December 2023 but was absent for 319 days prior to returning at Galway in October. He disappointed then and while capable of better, nonetheless returns following another layoff. Coral River also showed good bumper form, finishing second at the Punchestown Festival, and while he dropped away tamely on hurdling debut last month, that was his first run for 72 days.
Prediction : 1st Belle The Tigress 2nd Kish Bank 3rd Coral River

ASPUROFTHEMOMENT debuts for new connections and might be a step ahead of the handicapper following a recent point-to-point win. His initial pointing form and hurdle efforts were unexciting but he showed improvement in recent months, finishing ahead of a subsequent UK bumper winner at Castletown-Geoghegan in October before winning at Dromahane. He was bought for 25,000 euros following that success and is interesting. Nine-year-old Falcon Park has come good in recent times but competes from a career-high rating, while The Big Cloud relishes testing conditions and should go well in a first-time tongue-tie.
Prediction : 1st Aspurofthemoment 2nd Falcon Park 3rd The Big Cloud

HIDDENVALLEY LAKE is a thorough stayer and ran really well on his reappearance run last month. Generally a very dependable type, he won a similar Grade 2 race at Navan last February and, having shown up well in top-level races at Aintree and more recently at Ascot last month, he should go very close. Buddy One finished ahead of the selection in the aforementioned Aintree race and while his chase form recently fizzled out, he now reverts to hurdles over which he operated so well last term. Rocky's Diamond is just a five-year-old and has already shown real potential.
Prediction : 1st Hiddenvalley Lake 2nd Buddy One 3rd Rockys Diamond

YEAH MAN has been competitive in similar races in recent times and might turn Troytown form with Stuzzikini. Ground-versatile, the selection is a strong stayer and while he disappointed in the Irish National, his form is generally consistent. He can jump left in the closing stages of his races, which isn't ideal, but is 7lb better off with Stuzzikini than at Navan. Stuzzikini is himself a stout stayer who should also compete. Nick Rockett is well handicapped and finished third at Sandown last April but is 2lb higher following his Paddy Power fourth at Leopardstown. Will Do finished fifth, wearing first-time blinkers, in that race and is another to take seriously.
Prediction : 1st Yeah Man 2nd Stuzzikini 3rd Nick Rockett

Willie Mullins obviously has a strong hand in this with five runners and Paul Townend sticks with QUAI DE BOURBON in the two-and-a-half mile contest. He rode the Ivanhowe gelding on his chase debut at Leopardstown when he was a close third in a tight finish behind Dee Capo. With that run under his belt he's entitled to improve and may turn the tables now on stablemate Chapeau De Soleil, who was just half-a-length in front of him then. Blizzard Of Oz is another Closutton runner with a big shout after a fine run to finish third to stablemate Lecky Watson on his chase debut at Naas.
Prediction : 1st Quai De Bourbon 2nd Chapeau De Soleil 3rd Blizzard Of Oz

BIG DEBATES has a nice weight in this and may be able to exploit his lower mark over hurdles. The 12-year-old has been in fine form over fences of late, winning a veterans contest easily at Limerick over Christmas on his last outing. He is now rated a massive 32lb lower over timber. Machismo opened his hurdling account in fine style at Tramore on New Year's Day and doesn't look harshly treated on his handicap debut. Stamina appears to be his forte and there may be room for further improvement up at three miles. Doitforjane Sid was an easy winner at a big price in Limerick and is another that has to come into calculations.
Prediction : 1st Big Debates 2nd Machismo 3rd Doitforjane Sid

No form to go on here and RECKLESS may prove the pick for leading connections. The Gordon Elliott-trained Doctor Dino gelding cost 165,000 euro at the Arkle sale last year and is a half-brother to a Listed winner on the Flat in France. Carrigmoorna Beech appeals on pedigree and is another to note. Declan Queally has won two bumpers this season with her half-sister Carrigmoornaspruce. Eastern Blue Bird is a full-brother to a bumper winner, Lady Bluebird, and is another of interest on breeding.
Prediction : 1st Reckless 2nd Carrigmoorna Beech 3rd Eastern Blue Bird