UK Horse Racing Tips: Gowran Park

The Joseph O'Brien-trained MAXIMUM SCEPTICISM can open his account at the third time of asking. Fourth on his racecourse debut at the Curragh in May, the Churchill colt arguably ran even better when fifth back at that same venue last time. With the benefit of those previous experiences, he should be hard to beat now. Jordi Bear is worth a close look in the market on his racecourse debut. A St Mark's Basilica colt, the Fozzy Stack-trained newcomer is out of a real stable stalwart in Woody Creek. Aidan O'Brien's newcomer Daytona is also worthy of consideration on his introduction. With O'Brien relying on the son of Wootton Bassett, it could prove highly significant.
Prediction : 1st Maximum Scepticism 2nd Jordi Bear 3rd Daytona

Denied by the narrowest of margins at Down Royal last time, BAMAKO can gain some measure of compensation. The Andrew Oliver-trained gelding had shown ability on a couple of occasions as a juvenile but lost form towards the end of last season. However, with the aid of a first-time visor, the son of Sands Of Mali stepped up considerably on anything he had done previously when just touched off recently. Provided that the headgear does the trick for a second time, he should go close. Fairyhouse winner Lovely has to enter calculations off just 5lb higher, while handicap debutant Washington Street has to be respected given his connections.
Prediction : 1st Bamako 2nd Lovely 3rd Washington Street

MOTHER MARA has improved steadily since joining Ger O'Leary this year and was just denied over this trip at Fairyhouse last time. The Mohaather filly still appears on a competitive mark and the booking of talented 5lb claimer Wayne Hassett adds to confidence. Empress Artemis has only raced over a mile including when successful on debut at Dundalk but could prove a threat dropping down to 7f, while Honeysuckle Rose is another Dundalk maiden winner with scope for scope for improvement. Ribchestina hails from a yard in good form and merits respect on her second over this trip at Cork last time.
Prediction : 1st Mother Mara 2nd Empress Artemis 3rd Ribchestina

RODERICK has filled the runner-up spot on both outings since reverting to turf this season and may go one better here. He was just denied in a 20-runner handicap over this trip at Naas and makes a quick reappearance after running a cracker at Leopardstown on Thursday. Eagles Whistle hasn't enjoyed much luck in running on her latest two outings, while Carvalhal won over 1m1f for Michael Dods last year and has been placed on his latest two starts for current connections including over this C&D. Miss Abby Jools is without a win in two years but has dropped down to an attractive mark, while Suityourselfboss beat all bar Top Of The Pops here on her penultimate start and is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Roderick 2nd Eagles Whistle 3rd Carvalhal

WOODSHAW WHISPER finished well to take third on debut at Leopardstown last autumn and made a successful reappearance when stepped up to 1m2f at Dundalk this spring. The selection beat subsequent Curragh maiden winner Propose with No Mo Cash and Truth Be Told both behind and appeals here on handicap debut. Sunriseontheboyne has already proved a great servant to connections and recorded the latest of five victories under a fine front-running ride by Wesley Joyce over 1m2f at Navan last month. Onemoredance won over a similar trip at Tipperary, while Nepal could appreciate this step up in distance.
Prediction : 1st Woodshaw Whisper 2nd Sunriseontheboyne 3rd Nepal

There is little to choose between Angelight and CANDLEFORD GREEN on running over a mile at Naas last month, but preference is for the latter who was denied a clear run inside the final 2f. The form of that aforementioned Naas maiden has been working out quite well since and the Willie Mullins-trained filly is bred to appreciate this step up in distance. Etawa has also shown promise on both previous outings and is another to consider along with Guy's Girl and Offshore Bay, who both have plenty of scope for improvement.
Prediction : 1st Candleford Green 2nd Angelight 3rd Offshore Bay

COEUR D'OR won two big handicaps in 2023 when landing the Colm Quinn Mile at Galway and the Irish Cambridgeshire at the Curragh. The Dermot Weld-trained gelding has been a model of consistency since including when placed on his reappearance in another Premier Handicap at the Curragh last month. Fleur De Chine won the valuable Gowran Classic over C&D last year and should appreciate any further rain, while Viking Invasion and stablemate Dignam are closely matched on running in this year's renewal of the Gowran Classic. Cristal Clere had impressive course maiden winner Eastwatch behind when fifth in a Listed race at Leopardstown last time.
Prediction : 1st Coeur dOr 2nd Fleur De Chine 3rd Viking Invasion