UK Horse Racing Tips: Gowran Park

Seven-year-old INDEPENDENT EXPERT is an eight-time winner and has plenty in her favour as she contests another claimer. Rated as high as 93 last July, she scored once from three starts in claimer company last winter and again showed her wellbeing by winning on soft ground at Naas in March. Gloriously Glam won a claimer here last September and is an able handicapper who should run well, while all-weather specialist and stablemate Clonmacash heads the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Independent Expert 2nd Gloriously Glam 3rd Clonmacash

FLEUR DE PROVENCE has an excellent pedigree and showed promise on debut. Out of a Group 2 winner, whose half-brother Royal Diamond landed an Irish St Leger, it is a small concern that the selection hasn't raced for 59 days but she holds Sanctijude on Naas form and can progress further on better ground. Nellcote is out of a Listed-winning half-sister to a Group 3 winner and could prove to be smart.
Prediction : 1st Fleur De Provence 2nd Sanctijude 3rd Nellcote

CHAMONIX has shown ability in two starts and contests a winnable maiden. By top stallion Wootton Bassett and out of a Group 3-placed dam, the selection ran well on his Curragh debut and while beaten over six lengths at Cork last month, that was a useful maiden from which the third-placed horse scored next time. Rolltight debuted for new connections when finishing second over C&D 15 days ago. That race possibly wasn't as strong as the selection's maiden races but nonetheless looks sure to be competitive once again. Big Cypress has fair form, while Hassaniya hasn't run since March but the booking of Colin Keane is a positive.
Prediction : 1st Chamonix 2nd Rolltight 3rd Big Cypress

Rated a good bit higher earlier in his career, MYTHICAL ROCK is interesting on his second start for Charles Byrnes. Having finished eighth on his stable debut at Limerick last month, the gelding had his excuses on that occasion. The five-year-old ran well on his only previous visit here when third last October. Nicely drawn towards the centre of runners, jockey Paddy Harnett can track the pace and produce his mount to challenge early in the straight. Staywitherjohnny stepped up on previous runs when third here earlier this month. Despite a wide draw, the grey filly can get involved. Roscommon fourth River Derwent also holds claims under James Ryan.
Prediction : 1st Mythical Rock 2nd Staywitherjohnny 3rd River Derwent

SPARAN NUA, who created a very favourable impression on her debut at Naas, can follow up. The Jim Bolger-trained Dawn Approach filly stayed on strongly to readily beat some worthy opponents. Open to any amount of improvement after just one start, stepping up in trip here could see her in an even better light. She is taken to maintain her perfect record before connections raise their sights. Sligo winner Lady Mairen has enough racing experience to keep the selection honest and there should be more to come from the four-year-old. Third over course and distance on debut, Vauntingly should be all the better for that initial outing.
Prediction : 1st Sparan Nua 2nd Lady Mairen 3rd Vauntingly

Unlucky in running when bidding for a hat-trick last time, CELTIC DRUID can gain compensation. Having struck up a good partnership with Sadhbh Tormey, the five-year-old looks to have a bit more to offer off his current mark. Granted a clear passage, he would almost certainly have won at Navan last month, so a subsequent 3lb rise seems fair. Sonic Invader, who shaped with promise in maidens, should be all the better for last month's handicap debut at Navan. It is encouraging that Colin Keane rides the four-year-old for the first time since his debut. Makaiah is also respected.
Prediction : 1st Celtic Druid 2nd Sonic Invader 3rd Makaiah

DESERT FRIEND can add to his recent success at Sligo. A winner off higher marks in the past, the Pat Murphy-trained 10-year-old remains in this bottom grade, despite an easy seven-length win. With Conor Cusack once again taking 7lb off his back, the veteran can follow up. Despite just the one win on the Flat, Mephisto has to be a strong contender under Colin Keane. A three-time scorer over hurdles last August, the grey looks very well treated off a mark of just 49 on the level. Lightly raced on the Flat, Maiden hurdle winner Our Lucky Lady is another with every chance reverting to this code.
Prediction : 1st Desert Friend 2nd Mephisto 3rd Our Lucky Lady