SHAMROCK Sat: We’re heading to Gowran Park this Saturday for the seven-race card featuring the Grade 3 Red Mills Trials Hurdle and the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase alongside five other well-subscribed contests. The official going is currently ‘soft’.
⭕ Up first is a four-year-olds’ maiden hurdle over two miles at 1:42pm. With six of the 16 runners unseen as of yet, this could be a fairly open race, however, Jessica Harrington’s Mighty Mo Missouri made a huge improvement last time when finishing a close second. Willie Mullins’ Sinbad Le Marin, a fair performer on the Flat in France, should appreciate the better ground here and can be expected to improve on his two starts over obstacles this season and looks a big danger.
⭕ The Grade 3 Red Mills Trial Hurdle is next at 2:17pm, again over two miles. Sharjah will be a short price for the win here on Betdaq, being a course and distance winner who outclasses the rest of the field by some way. He may be older than his rivals, but his two Grade 1 placings in November and December show that he retains ability. The younger challenger Doctor Bravo could be the one to chase him home having won a bumper and a maiden hurdle in good style this season.
⭕ Following is a handicap hurdle over 2m4f at 2:52pm. Joseph O’Brien’s Flying Scotsman should find the ground to his liking and could go one better here than his three-length second at Fairyhouse back in December. With rider Aidan Kelly’s 7lb claim he should take plenty of beating. Ottoman Style was third over this trip in December and has place chances.
⭕ The Grade 2 Red Mills Chase over 2m4f is next up at 3.27pm. Highest-rated Capodanno makes his seasonal reappearance and was useful last year over this trip and longer. He could go well despite the absence. Stablemate Haut En Couleurs suffered an unlucky fall which cost him a win in January can can gain compensation here.
⭕ A beginners chase is next, over 2m 4f at 4:02pm. Of two completed starts over fences, Grandero Bello has two close placings and has previously won over hurdles at this trip. More the type to do just enough than to go lengths clear he and can strike here. Gordon Elliott’s Where It All Began, should also be watched. This Yeats gelding is versatile both in trip and going.
⭕ A handicap chase is next at 4:37pm. Optional Mix hasn’t finished outside of the first two all season and with a 7lb claimer in the saddle, he looks set up for a comfortable win in this company. If the recently unlucky Handsworth has a clear run, he should be capable of recapturing his placed form from earlier in the season. He’s well proven over this trip and typically produces a good run under Luke Dempsey.
⭕ A bumper concludes the afternoon’s racing over 2m1f at 5:12pm. Gordon Elliott’s Why Delilah impressed on debut in a mares’ bumper last month and with Jamie Codd taking the reins once more should have learned from the experience and can go one better. Vedetta Star is an interesting debutant for Peter Fahey.
