Gowran Park Racecourse: Preview and tips for Saturday’s right-race card

The jumps have officially returned to Gowran Park where we have an eight-race card, which features three graded races and a Listed race, supported by a handicap hurdle, a novice chase, beginners chase and handicap chase.

Read on for a preview of and tips for the Gowran Park card, brought to you by BetBrothers.

Our opener is a Listed hurdle run over an extended two miles (13.20). El Cairos is the headline act here with some good spring festival runs under his belt. While he hasn’t been in the winners’ enclosure since his maiden win at Thurles, he is entitled to be better this season and should outclass the rest here. Gaucher might pose a problem, though; fit from a Flat campaign and a Grade Three winner.

Race two is a Grade Three novice hurdle over the same trip (13.55). Goeasyonme has shown plenty of ability so far and could go well, while Minella Hollow is another to consider after a maiden hurdle win. Mino Des Mottes, though, is impossible to ignore having placed in a Listed handicap hurdle last time, and runs for the powerhouse trainer Gordon Elliott in first-time cheekpieces.

The third race is a three-mile handicap hurdle (14.30). Butter Fingers was good last time out and still looks fairly competitive on a slightly raised mark, while Fad Eadrainn must enter calculations on seasonal reappearance after some good performances last term. Born Bright could be a quiet one with a chance, though, on a nice mark and fit from a couple of runs over fences.

Next is the two and a half mile Grade Two Danoli Chase (15.05). Senecia comes here fit from a few runs in the summer, while Fleur In The Park is a Grade One winner but makes his reappearance here today. Blood Destiny is fit and high class, but would need a career best to win this. He is entitled to achieve this today, though.

A Grade Three two and a half mile novice chase follows (15.40). This looks a seriously competitive race, with lots of recent wins throughout the form. JP McManus’ Vicar Street is still relatively unexposed but has shown lots of ability so far, while Shadow Paddy has won both his starts over fences so far and has had a break since July. Bowensonfire is the fittest at present, having run in late August, but he was below form that day.

Race six is a three-mile novice chase (16.15). Quantum Quest and Fou De Toi have won over fences already, with the latter having done so the most impressively. He should receive most of the attention here and looks a smart individual. Ma Jacks Hill could be considered, though, after being only narrowly beaten last time out and another step forward could be on the cards.

Second to last is a two and a half mile beginners’ chase (16.50). Forty Coats and I Started A Joke were the best over hurdles and are exciting on chase debut here, while Lemmy Caution already has a chase run under his belt and can do better now.

Finally we have a two and a half mile handicap chase (17.25). Banjaxed is on an attractive mark, while Its Bilbo might prove to be on a similarly possible point in the handicap. Luimeach is of interest after some good summer runs, but the owner’s first string is One Last Tango, who wears first-time blinkers.

Gowran Park selections - Saturday:

13.20 - Gaucher 

13.55 - Mino Des Mottes 

14.30 - Born Bright 

15.05 - Blood Destiny 

15.40 - Vicar Street 

16.15 - Fou De Toi 

16.50 - Lemmy Caution e/w 

17.25 - Banjaxed