Gowran Park Racecourse: Preview and Tips for Friday’s Seven-Race Card 

It’s the first day of Gowran Park’s October race meeting and today’s seven-race card features six hurdle contests and a mares’ Listed bumper. Gowran Park is Ireland’s second best racecourse in terms of overall value for money, according to the Racing Post, so this meeting really is worth a visit.

Read on for a full preview of and tips for the Gowran Park card, courtesy of Boyle Sports, who provide all the latest horse racing odds.

We kick off with a four-year-olds’ maiden hurdle over an extended two miles (2.01). With a field of 19 and many newcomers in the mix, this will be a hard race to judge on paper, but the likes of Shark Hanlon’s Stay In The Game may be worth thinking about, after a very promising hurdle debut in August at Wexford. He has shown good form on soft and heavy ground on the Flat too, so should have a good chance today, but this contest could still go any way, so an each-way play may be best.

Another maiden hurdle over the same trip follows, this time for horses aged five and older (2.36). With just one debutant, this is an easier race to form an opinion of, and it looks like a fairly competitive contest. James Fahey’s Cailin Deas is the only one with a previous win under her belt, having won a bumper at Kilbeggan in August. With a mares’ weight and seven-pounds from her rider, she could have a good opportunity to follow up that success here, but testing ground is a question mark. Tony Mullins’ Letos looks a better choice, given the state of the ground.

A handicap hurdle is next, again over the extended two miles (3.11). Thomas Gibney’s Leave In Secret seeks to make it back-to-back victories, while course and distance winner Perzzini is proven to operate on the most testing of ground and could be in with a great chance under three-pound claiming rider John Shinnick, but returns from a long lay-off so may be in need of the run. Harry’s Dream must also be considered, with an aptitude for soft ground and seven pounds given to him by Anna McGuinness.

Race four is a mares’ hurdle over the extended two miles (3.46). This is a small field of only five runners, the best of which should be Willie Mullins’ Adela Icon. This daughter of Snow Sky is already a dual winner over these obstacles, including on heavy ground, and she is equipped with a tongue strap for the first time today, after a disappointing effort last time at Listowel. Andrew Slattery’s Royal Hollow also has good credentials on soft ground, so ought to be able to perform in this company.

The fifth race is a two and a half mile handicap hurdle (4.20). Patrick Foley’s Arctic Flame won her last start at Down Royal and hasn’t been heavily penalised, so ought to have another good chance, given her usual consistency. Ballycashin goes well under Anna McGuinness and the pair should be able to give a good display here after a near defeat last time at Listowel. If Charlie Byrnes’ From The Ashes can translate his chase mark over to hurdles, then he’ll be a big danger at the weights.

Our penultimate race is another two and half mile handicap hurdle (4.55). With a handful of recent winners in the mix - Ilbdare, You Done Well, Rockonliam, Paul’s Dream and Killian’s Garden - this could be a tight race. Paul’s Dream looks as if she can still be a main contender, despite another rise in the handicap after a bout of very good recent form. Danny Mullins appears to get on well with her and the pair should be involved at the finish. Truckers Cruising made a good start for Gordon Elliott last time at Navan, and a step forward could be expected here too.

Finally, racing concludes with an extended two mile Listed four to six-year-old mares’ bumper (5.30). This may prove to be the most competitive race on the card, with six of the eight runners having won their last races. Willie Mullins plays a very strong hand with his trio of Some Pretender, Liadawn and Closutton. A 10-length winner of her first bumper at Downpatrick, Liadawn looks to be the best of the three, but Maximillian Lady might be the one she has to battle home. This daughter of Maxios won a mares’ race at Galway by a huge 13 lengths, but is a year younger and more immature than the Mullins runner, who gets the final vote.

Gowran Park selections - Friday:

2.01 - Stay In The Game e/w 

2.36 - Letos 

3.11 - Harry’s Dream 

3.46 - Royal Hollow 

4.20 - From The Ashes 

4.55 - Truckers Cruising 

5.30 - Liadawn