UK Horse Racing Tips: Gowran Park

SWORD OF STATE didn't cost a lot as a yearling, but is a half-sister to five winners, including one who struck at Listed level over this trip. She ran perfectly well against rivals from much more powerful yards when beaten a little over four lengths at the Curragh six days ago, and a low draw affords her the opportunity to adopt a nice position. Down Royal runner-up Seaxburh has the inside stall and is fitted with cheekpieces for the first time. In common with the selection, Spectrolyte is a daughter of State Of Rest and is a half-sister to a juvenile winner over 6f. Fellow newcomer Diamonds And Dames warrants a market check.
Prediction : 1st Sword Of State 2nd Seaxburh 3rd Spectrolyte

A low draw is a huge advantage over 7f at this track and with that in mind, a chance is taken the first-time visored MAKER'S MARK. From an initial mark of 68, she's now off 50 and dropping back in trip looks the way to go. She travelled well until the final quarter-mile when fifth over 1m2f at Down Royal, and again was prominent until dropping out of contention over 1m3f last time. A positive ride over this trip might see her in a much better light. Princess Chloe was much improved when second at Limerick and is likely to enter the reckoning, along with Will Be King.
Prediction : 1st Makers Mark 2nd Princess Chloe 3rd Will Be King

Dual all-weather winner BEAU ARMY has some good recent efforts on turf to her name and might improve for the fitting of cheekpieces. Chris Hayes' mount, reasonably well drawn in nine, was fourth to a subsequent stakes winner at Down Royal in May before being placed over a mile last time. It's interesting that the selection's regular partner, Rory Cleary, prefers to ride Jackandthefox here. The long-standing maiden was third in this race a year ago, but was drawn three on that occasion and is stuck out wide this time. Glen Breeze is up 9lb for his win at Limerick and is widest of all in gate 16.
Prediction : 1st Beau Army 2nd Jackandthefox 3rd Glen Breeze

BELIEVED ran a huge race on her handicap debut on her latest start and might just be best in this open-looking contest. She ran away with her maiden over a trip close to this at Dundalk in late May and then finished a close third in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot where she wasn't helped by the runner-up edging to his left well inside the final furlong. Both Amadeus Mozart and Nil Bua Gan Dua also went well in Royal Ascot handicaps, with the latter not far off the pace in a Group 3 over a longer trip at Newmarket since. It's hard to rule either of them out, and the same might be said for the hat-trick seeking Saga Gaga, a course winner who followed up at Killarney early last week.
Prediction : 1st Believed 2nd Amadeus Mozart 3rd Nil Bua Gan Dua

ELMAKAYA has the beating of a couple these on her run at Naas last month. She finished ahead of both Wearing Stars (fourth) and Vishaya (eighth) when third to the favourite Moonlit Sun and that looked a good effort from an unfavourable draw. Vishaya went on to run well in a handicap at Killarney and might well prove the biggest danger this time, while Star Of Beauty is also respected, having gone close over C&D in June.
Prediction : 1st Elmakaya 2nd Vishaya 3rd Wearing Stars

HAMBELTON has improved plenty on his last couple of starts with a smooth victory at Cork backed up when just denied in the closing stages off a 10lb higher mark at York earlier in the month. Despite another 4lb rise here, the son of Ghaiyyath is expected to come out on top. Frank Pickle got off the mark at Leopardstown on his latest start and is likely to enter the reckoning, while others to note include Harana and Snow Princess.
Prediction : 1st Hambelton 2nd Frank Pickle 3rd Harana

YQUEM improved plenty from her first start for Richard Brabazon when scoring at Leopardstown before proving that effort was no fluke when third at the same venue, despite the form being reversed with the runner-up from that contest going one better. In her current form, she is tough to oppose. Magna Gee Gee won at Limerick last time but now has to contend with a drop back in trip, while Duchess Anne is entitled to build on her fourth at Naas on Wednesday.
Prediction : 1st Yquem 2nd Magna Gee Gee 3rd Duchess Anne

SUMMER IS TOMORROW has twice gone close recently but whilst a few of these arrive with something to prove, Joseph O'Brien's colt might not get a better chance to get himself back in the winner's circle. Benevento needs to leave a lacklustre Lingfield effort behind him but he's been given five months off since and may still be capable of better. Leopold The First is nothing if not consistent, and he can be expected to run another honest race.
Prediction : 1st Summer Is Tomorrow 2nd Benevento 3rd Leopold The First