Showing posts with label Gowran. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gowran. Show all posts
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Gordon Ellliott: The views on my weekend runners at Gowran and Naas
Gordon Elliott on Barneys Honour
"He has to contend with a full 16lbs rise in the weights here and he will have to improve significantly from Navan to overcome that."
The weekend's action sees Gordon with four runners, and after a superb double last Saturday at Navan and his in-form string gearing up for the Cheltenham Festival next week, we get his thoughts on their chances...
Saturday
15.55 Gowran Park - Barneys Honour
I was very pleased with how he won at Navan last Saturday, but unfortunately we couldn't get another run into him before his new chase mark of 118 came into effect, because the ground had gone against him at Downpatrick on Wednesday. He has to contend with a full 16lbs rise in the weights here and he will have to improve significantly from Navan to overcome that.
He came out of the race at Navan very well and he has been in good form since then and thankfully we have Paul Carberry booked to take the ride again. It looks like an extremely competitive race, but there's a big pot on offer and I'd be delighted if he could finish in the money. He ran well here over hurdles in January finishing second of 11 runners behind Rory Anna only beaten 4 ½ lengths, so we know he handles the track, and with soft ground forecast he should have conditions to suit.
17.35 Gowran Park - Rockdown
He finished second on his debut outing in a point-to-point at Nenagh at the end of January, and then he won well next time out at Killaloe on February 24, staying on nicely to land the spoils. He will have to improve on what he has been showing us at home to be competitive and I'm just not quite sure if he will be as well suited to bumpers as I'd like, but the experience will certainly do him no harm.
Both of his point-to-points were over three miles on soft ground, so he will relish the conditions and the extended 2m2f should also be in his favour. Nina Carberry is booked to take the ride on the same day she saddles her first runner as a trainer, and having such an experienced rider will help the horse immensely. He may be one to keep an eye in the future, and I'm just hoping for a good showing from him on his first time under rules.
Sunday
14.10 Naas - Shrapnel
He can be a bit tricky, and his form has been a bit in and out of late. He had an off day when he ran at Clonmel in February finishing a well beaten 30l, fifth of seven runners behind Willie Mullins Inis Island. He had been running very well up to then, winning two on the bounce at Galway and Fairyhouse, and then finishing a very respectable second to Si C'Etait Vrai at Punchestown in January.
I have no doubt he is a very talented horse and if he was on a going day here he would have a good chance. It looks a very competitive race, and he has to give 4lbs to Mullins' talented mare Zuzka. She may be hard to beat on those terms, and with the likes of Clonbannon Lad and Moscow Mannon also in opposition he will have to be at the top his game to land this. Davy Russell is booked to take the ride, and if he can return to the same for he was showing at the end of last year I would be quite hopeful.
15.35 Naas - Tarquinius
He's been in good form since finishing a head second to Jandanli in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park towards the end of January. He was ready to run in the Eider Chase at Newcastle on February 23 but unfortunately the card was abandoned on the day. He was due to run off an OR of 136 that day, but gets in here off a mark of 129 so he is definitely a better handicapped horse on this side of the water.
He's gone up 6lbs in the weights since the Thyestes but he is ultra-consistent and is as tough as they come, and if he can reproduce the form he has been showing of late he should be in the mix. He will relish the forecast soft ground and he stays all day so three miles will be right up his street, and with Davy Condon booked to take the ride I'd be looking for another solid effort.
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Thursday, February 2, 2012
Red Mills Chase: Rubi heads to Gowran
The Cheltenham Festival 
/ Timeform / 31 January 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Rubi Light will run at Gowran before Cheltenham.
"He doesn't need long coming out of his races. He did the same last year..."
Trainer Robbie Hennessy will follow a tried-and-tested route by running Rubi Light at Gowran before heading to Cheltenham...
The seven-year-old won the Red Mills Chase in 2011 on the way to finishing third to Albertas Run in the Ryanair Chase at the Festival.
The two-and-a-half-mile contest on February 18 is again ideal for Hennessy's charge as it comes just less than four weeks before his prime objective.
"We are going to give him a run in Gowran Park on the 18th of February in the Red Mills and that's something to look forward with him first," said County Meath-based Hennessy.
"He won it last year and the weather forecast is bad for the foreseeable future, so I imagine the ground will be testing which would play to his strengths.
"After that we'll just keep him ticking over for Cheltenham.
"He doesn't need long coming out of his races. He did the same last year."
Rubi Light has enjoyed a profitable campaign that has seen him win the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown and finish second in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on his first try over three miles.
Rated 162 by Timeform, Rubi Light can currently be backed at [8.8] for the Ryanair, a marginally bigger price than antepost favourite Noble Prince ([7.8]).
Others to note in the market would be Somersby ([9.6]), Riverside Theatre ([12.0]) and Captain Chris ([17.5]).
Racing For Change's main aim is to "broaden the appeal of the sport". The scheme's decision-makers could do a lot worse than put the feelers out to stage a match between the two outstanding hurdlers of the moment, argues Timeform jumps handicapper Phil Turner......
The Alan King-trained Montbazon got back to winning ways at Plumpton on Monday......
Diamond Harry will be checked out for a possible breathing problem after his run at Cheltenham on Saturday......
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Red Mills Chase: Rubi heads to Gowran
The Cheltenham Festival / Timeform / 31 January 2012 / Leave a Comment Rubi Light will run at Gowran before Cheltenham.
"He doesn't need long coming out of his races. He did the same last year..."
Trainer Robbie Hennessy will follow a tried-and-tested route by running Rubi Light at Gowran before heading to Cheltenham...
The seven-year-old won the Red Mills Chase in 2011 on the way to finishing third to Albertas Run in the Ryanair Chase at the Festival.
The two-and-a-half-mile contest on February 18 is again ideal for Hennessy's charge as it comes just less than four weeks before his prime objective.
"We are going to give him a run in Gowran Park on the 18th of February in the Red Mills and that's something to look forward with him first," said County Meath-based Hennessy.
"He won it last year and the weather forecast is bad for the foreseeable future, so I imagine the ground will be testing which would play to his strengths.
"After that we'll just keep him ticking over for Cheltenham.
"He doesn't need long coming out of his races. He did the same last year."
Rubi Light has enjoyed a profitable campaign that has seen him win the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown and finish second in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on his first try over three miles.
Rated 162 by Timeform, Rubi Light can currently be backed at [8.8] for the Ryanair, a marginally bigger price than antepost favourite Noble Prince ([7.8]).
Others to note in the market would be Somersby ([9.6]), Riverside Theatre ([12.0]) and Captain Chris ([17.5]).
Racing For Change's main aim is to "broaden the appeal of the sport". The scheme's decision-makers could do a lot worse than put the feelers out to stage a match between the two outstanding hurdlers of the moment, argues Timeform jumps handicapper Phil Turner......
The Alan King-trained Montbazon got back to winning ways at Plumpton on Monday......
Diamond Harry will be checked out for a possible breathing problem after his run at Cheltenham on Saturday......
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Timeform Irish Daily: Thyestes Chase, Thursday, Gowran 15:05
Race of the Day / Timeform / 25 January 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Willie Mullins: Trainer of On His Own
"There are question marks over the jumping of On His Own, but he's worth another chance in a race where unexposed sorts are thin on the ground."
The Thyestes Handicap Chase, run over three miles at Gowran Park, looks as competitive as usual, and could have a bearing on both the Aintree and Irish Grand Nationals. Timeform take at the field...
Ad Idem is a strong traveller who has been in form of his life this term, just touched off in Troytown at Navan before not really getting the run of things at Leopardstown. Vulnerable off this mark, however.
Western Charmer is a largely consistent sort who ran well when second in Irish National at Fairyhouse and Grade 1 novice within space of 8 days last spring, but disappointing last time and high enough in the weights.
Tharawaat is not most consistent but talented when on his game, as he showed when readily winning 2¾m handicap chase at Galway in October. Below that level since but could go well if everything clicks.
Shakervilz is a smart hurdler/chaser at his best and hinted at a return to form when third in Grade 2 hurdle at Leopardstown last time, albeit allowed to dictate pace. Booking of Ruby Walsh catches the eye.
Some Target shaped well over both hurdles and fences since returning to action, fourth in Troytown at Navan, but jumping issues resurfaced at Leopardstown over Christmas and could again prove his achilles heel.
Jack The Bus has not got many miles on the clock and better than ever when winning handicap at Navan earlier this month. Been raised 7 lb and now in much more competitive event, however.
Adams Island was a useful novice in Britain, winning twice over fences for Rebecca Curtis. First worthwhile form for this yard when third over hurdles last time and accorded respect off this sort of mark.
Bob Lingo is a front runner who was given plenty of rope when winning a Fairyhouse maiden chase by 20 lengths in 2010/11. Back to form last 2 starts as well, but does look handicapped to the hilt.
Rivage d'Or is a useful hurdler last season and has made good start over fences, winning at Thurles in November. Often finishes weakly, though, and well held off 1 lb higher mark last time.
The Bishop Looney was better than ever in October/November, winning at Galway and following up in Cork National. Raised 9 lb for latter success and that seemed to anchor him at Leopardstown last time.
Glam Gerry is a strong traveller who won over hurdles at Leopardstown (2½m) in 2010/11 and made successful handicap debut in this sphere back there last time. Not always fluent that day and now 20 lb higher, however.
Start Me Up is a bumper/hurdle winner who is proving progressive over fences, winning maiden at Navan in December and then third off similar mark at Limerick. Not yet fully exposed at 3m and could go well.
Telenor dead-heated in a Grade 2 novice at Navan in early-2010 but seen just 5 times since and has looked shadow of his former self this season. Not hard
to oppose.
Tinakellylad is a mudlark who isn't the most consistent but ran as well as he's ever done when second at Cork (2½m) last time. Just as effective at this sort of trip too, but is 4 lb higher and in better race.
Jadanli was flattered by his win in the 2010 Powers Gold Cup and largely let down by jumping since, including in big-field events the last twice. Looks a
longshot.
On His Own's jumping often an issue over fences last term for Howard Johnson, despite wins at Musselburgh and Ayr, and again not always fluent before brought down on return, but could go well with a clear round.
Quadrillon did not go on as expected after winning 2½m maiden chase at Gowran last season and better effort this term, when sixth in Troytown at Navan, still leaves him with a bit to find.
Paddy Pub was in good heart in staying handicap chases back in 2009/10 and first signs that he retains that ability when fourth in first-time blinkers latest
start. Hard to see him winning this all the same.
Tullintain was successful this time last year at Punchestown (2½m) off 17 lb lower mark, and back to form when chasing home in-form rival at Limerick on latest. Never really convinced with stamina for 3m, though.
Stephanie Kate has translated her useful hurdles form to fences, runner-up in all 3 completed starts, and appeals as the type to be suited by 3m. Could easily make the shake-up if getting a run.
Smoking Aces proved well suited by the fitting of blinkers and extreme stamina test when scoring over 29f at Fairyhouse in December, but never landed a blow ddropped back to 3m at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Timeform 1-2-3:
1. On His Own
2. Start Me Up
3. Adams Island
Timeform View: There are question marks over the jumping of On His Own, but he's worth another chance in a race where unexposed sorts are thin on the ground given the impression created last term. Start Me Up rates as a solid place option with a good 7 lb claimer up, while Adams Island came back to form over hurdles last time and is another to consider.
............
Timeform's Horses to Follow Extra Festival Trials edition is out now and features no less than five big-race previews and an interview with Nigel Twiston-Davies.
An intriguing two mile handicap hurdle at Musselburgh makes up Wednesday's Race of the Day......
Timeform preview an interesting sprint at Southwell on Tuesday......
Timeform run the rule over a handicap hurdle in which one runner is chasing his fourth win in his last five starts......
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Irish Racing Tips: Princeton Plains to open account at Gowran
Tipping / Billy Nash / 05 March 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Princeton Plains can take the opener at Gowran for owner J. P. McManus
"Therefore, the race may well be set up for something that likes to come from behind and Idarah fits the bill."
Big fields are the order of the day at Gowran and we have come up with three more selections....
Bagber is likely to attract plenty of attention in the opening maiden hurdle at 13:20, but he didn't look entirely straightforward on the Flat and preference is for Princeton Plains. Eddie Harty's gelding showed promise on all three starts on the Flat and there was plenty to like about his third (to O Fortuna) at Punchestown last time. He was beaten less than a length, despite making a bad mistake three out, that day, and the drying conditions will aid his cause.
There should be plenty of pace on in the handicap chase at 14:55, with Newmill, The Sneezer and Just Friends all confirmed front runners. Therefore, the race may well be set up for something that likes to come from behind and Idarah fits the bill. Idarah won a maiden chase at Ludlow last year and has run well on both completed starts since joining Paul Cashman, runner-up to Clarkey at Listowel and still in with every chance when making a mistake 2 out in the race won by Askthemaster at Leopardstown. He only got as far as the third there last time but is a sound jumper on the whole and the booking of Paul Carberry is a positive.
The maiden chase at 16:05 is just an ordinary contest and, with Willie Mullins sweeping all before him at present, it is easy to see why Uncle Junior is likely to be sent off favourite. However, this one has had plenty of chances over fences and will need to jump better than he has on his last two starts. The return to 2½m should suit, but he is vulnerable to anything progressive and looks worth opposing at around [2.9].
Recommendations:
all at Gowran
Back Princeton Plains in the 13:20
Back Idarah in the 14:55
Lay Uncle Junior in the 16:05
Get the Timeform Jury selections for all of Saturday's Channel 4 races with Timeform TV Focus. Click HERE to find out more.
Big fields are the order of the day at Gowran and we have come up with three more selections.......
For many 'Super Thursday' will be no different to 'Mundane Monday' or 'Turgid Tuesday', but avid followers of the Dubai Carnival will be beside themselves at the prospect of a race meeting jam-packed full of top-quality thoroughbreds. Here is a trio who can hopefully make their mark on Dubai World Cup trials day......
Three selections for Downpatrick's feature meeting of the jumps season....
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