GAVIN CROMWELL: In his weekly blog Gavin reflects on Giselles Thunder’s win at Naas on Thursday and ahead to his runners at Navan and Gowran on Saturday and Listowel on Sunday.
We were very happy with Giselles Thunder at Naas on Thursday. The form of her debut couldn’t have worked out much better with the fourth, Miss Amulet, winning the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York. We’d actually hoped she would have already got her head in front, but take nothing away from the performance, she was very good and got the job done nicely. She’s up for sale and hopefully someone might come and pick her, but otherwise we might go for the Listed five-furlong race at Dundalk in a couple of weeks.
Navan Saturday
Our first runners of the weekend are Long March and Miraculum in the handicap hurdle (1.45pm). Long March ran okay the last day at Wexford and the better ground here should be to his liking. Hopefully he can put his best foot forward.
Miraculum has been a little bit frustrating in that she has run well without ever getting involved. The quick ground will also suit her and she goes there with an each-way chance.
Next up is Clonguile Way in the handicap hurdle (2.20pm). He’s been quite disappointing for us so far and we’re throwing the visor on him here which will hopefully bring about some improvement.
We then run Brex Drago and Lever Du Soleil in the beginners chase (3.30pm). A few came out of this between the entry and declaration stage presumably because of the quick ground, but that shouldn’t be any bother to our two. Lever Du Soleil ran a belter the last day at Kilbeggan where he was second to A Wave Of The Sea. He’s been very consistent for us and we’re just hoping he can go one better than the second he managed in this race 12 months ago.
He’d probably be the pick of our two, but Brex Drago would also have a chance. He’s had a couple of months off the track and is ready to start back. He should run a good race here too.
Gowran Park Saturday
Our only runner at Gowran Park on Saturday is Spring Morning in the fillies maiden (6.00pm). She won a barrier trial at Dundalk the other day and we’re looking forward to getting her started on the back of that. That was over seven furlongs, but she wants a trip and this 1m1f should be right up her street. She’s a nice type and hopefully she can put in a good showing again on her racecourse debut.
Listowel Sunday
Two runners for us on Sunday, starting with Moonball in the handicap hurdle (2.45pm). She won well after a big lay-off a couple of starts ago, but she unfortunately fell the last day at Tramore. She’s none the worse for that and is ready to go again here. Conor McNamara takes the ride and we think she’ll go well.
Our final runner of the weekend is Saol Iontach in the second division of the handicap hurdle (3.15pm). She was second the last day at Ballinrobe and that was another example of her doing a lot well but not quite getting her head in front, which is obviously slightly frustrating. The track and ground will play to her strengths and we’d like to think she’s got an each-way chance at minimum on Sunday.
