UK Horse Racing Tips: Gowran Park

Locally-based owner/trainer Paul McEnery won this nursery five years ago and MAGNA FORTUNA is of interest, despite unpromising form figures. A half-sister to a Group 3 juvenile winner, she was raised 5lb for her latest maiden run, even though finishing with only one rival behind her, and this low-grade handicap may well have been on her agenda for some time. Stormy Dawn bumped into a pair of well-treated Johnny Murtagh-trained rivals when third over 6f at Fairyhouse, while Murtagh is represented by Littlepacer, who came home well when placed on her first handicap start at Sligo. Dropping Dimes was beaten a long way when third on her handicap debut at Bellewstown, but wasn't unsupported on that occasion.
Prediction : 1st Magna Fortuna 2nd Stormy Dawn 3rd Littlepacer

CISTERNA was placed over C&D on soft ground in April and has since won twice at Roscommon. The Mehmas gelding won well from the front a week ago and Jimmy Dalton has a reasonable draw from which to employ similar tactics. The selection's stablemate Sunrise Angel looked to find an extended 1m1f too far here, having won decisively when prominently ridden over 1m on his previous outing at Cork. Pocket Jacks had two creditable runs when entering handicap company earlier in the season, but has been absent since finishing runner-up over C&D in June. Andy Oliver's other runner Dandymaria has been consistent in maidens.
Prediction : 1st Cisterna 2nd Sunrise Angel 3rd Pocket Jacks

PARAGUAY was a stable second string over 7f at the Curragh where, having been outpaced racing to the final furlong, he hit the line quite well under Jack Cleary, who maintains the partnership. The Frankel colt may improve enough to turn around form with third-placed Wo Wo Never. The latter has a rating of 88 but is overlooked by Dylan Browne McMonagle, who rides newcomer Acknowledge. The son of New Bay is a brother to 2024 German 2000 Guineas winner Devil's Point. The other Ballydoyle runners are Wootton Bassett newcomers Conclusive, out of a half-sister to Garswood, and Heart Of Fire, whose Listed-placed dam is a sister to The Gurkha.
Prediction : 1st Paraguay 2nd Acknowledge 3rd Wo Wo Never

CHURCHILL BOND came up short again when only third over 7f at Listowel in a first-time visor. However, Paddy Twomey's filly was beaten just a length and, given she's a half-sister to a couple of winners over further, this extra yardage could bring out the small amount of improvement necessary to get her head in front. Katiraya should also relish this greater test of stamina having struggled on soft going at Galway. She rates a bigger threat than Drumbinion Lass and Why Oh Why.
Prediction : 1st Churchill Bond 2nd Katiraya 3rd Drumbinion Lass

MEDIEVAL NIGHT is regularly in the mix at this lowly level. Runner-up here back in August, Denis Hogan's four-year-old could only manage sixth when disputing favouritism at Thurles last time, but he rallied well and Jared Huggan's 10lb allowance further helps his cause. Real Petite scored here in June and may well bounce back off this lower mark, while Arizona Star and Cannonball Queen could prove the pick of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Medieval Night 2nd Real Petite 3rd Arizona Star

PRINCESS CHLOE has been threatening to open her account since joining John McConnell's yard. She went agonisingly close when just failing to catch the winner at Thurles and is taken to go one better. Cause I Like You and The Blue Panther filled the places at the same Thurles fixture, with the former expected to confirm superiority. Zarenakarena popped up at Roscommon on her handicap bow, but has a 9lb hike to contend with.
Prediction : 1st Princess Chloe 2nd Cause I Like You 3rd Zarenakarena

Touched off over 1m at this track on her second start in May, FLEUR DE PROVENCE was very disappointing when favourite at Leopardstown next time. Given a three-month break, she ran respectably against colts and geldings at Punchestown when fitted with first-time cheekpieces. Sangreal was twice a beaten favourite, including when third over C&D, after finishing second on debut at Leopardstown. She was also returning from a layoff when fourth at the Curragh last month. Shanala was turned over at odds-on in Clonmel, but the handicapper still raised her by 6lb. Although only fourth when stepped up to 1m3f at Killarney, that looked a useful contest and she is the highest rated in this line-up.
Prediction : 1st Fleur De Provence 2nd Sangreal 3rd Shanala

LORD AUS was a decisive winner over this trip at Limerick in June and returned to form at Listowel last month when a strong-finishing second over 1m6f. He handles easy ground and is a relatively fresh horse for this stage of the season. Shay's Dream has shown improvement lately and should be suited by this extra furlong after beating an in-form filly at Killarney. A maiden winner here last year, Amplitude has been consistent in handicaps this term and his latest fifth at Listowel came after a break. Saliba has shown promise in maidens and steps up to this trip for the first time.
Prediction : 1st Lord Aus 2nd Shays Dream 3rd Amplitude