20.20
SoftGowran Handicap
- Prize money: £5900
- 2m 0f 0y
- 9 runners
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Runners: 9 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
Abandoned
Form: 6/331-
Last run: 292 days
W: 10st 2lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 74
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 6 |
25th May 2026 Good 2m 6f 100y |
11st 3lb |
Dual-purpose; 2-14 over hurdles, the latest win coming off 5lb lower at Gowran (2m4f, soft) in October; not a bad run when fading in the closing stages at Punchestown latest (23.5f, yielding) after a break; sharper now, this shorter trip a plus and has run well here on the Flat; in the mix. |
11/1 |
|
8th 22 |
30th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 7f 110y |
10st 3lb |
Three-time Flat winner won his second hurdle race at Gowran over 2m4f last October but was pulled-up at this track next time; poor on the Flat latest; others make more appeal |
33/1 |
|
10th 4 (4) |
11th Feb 2026 Standard 2m 0f 0y |
9st 12lb |
Three-time Flat winner added his second hurdles win with a hard-fought victory at Gowran (2m4f) in October; makes AW debut now after being pulled up over hurdles at Punchestown when last seen; 4lb above last Flat winning mark but not ruled out. |
6/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 3122-6
Last run: 17 days
W: 10st 0lb
5 yo Filly
OR: 72
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 3 (5) |
3rd May 2026 Good 1m 2f 158y |
9st 10lb |
Had looked fairly exposed but found more improvement last term and has carried that on with two excellent runs at the Curragh this spring, latest when third behind two progressive sorts over 1m2f; ground not being as soft as she'd like is one concern, as is a poor strike-rate for one of her ability. |
4/1 |
|
3rd 16 (7) |
3rd Apr 2026 Soft 1m 2f 0y |
8st 10lb |
Rewarded for her consistency with a Gowran win in October (1m4f, heavy) before signing off with close-up fourth at Galway; took the Irish Lincoln by the scruff of the neck on return when trying to make all, giving way late to finish fifth; step up in trip will suit. |
12/1 |
|
5th 18 (3) |
15th Mar 2026 Heavy 1m 0f 0y |
8st 7lb |
Second on this card last year; was rewarded for her consistency (in the frame three times in a row) with a Gowran win before signing off with a close-up fourth at Galway; could go well on return. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 600-73
Last run: 5 days
W: 9st 12lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 70
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 19 (21) |
17th Oct 2024 Yielding 1m 6f 0y |
9st 1lb |
prominent, went second after 3f, led 5f out, headed under 2f out, weakened final furlong |
20/1 |
|
4th 11 (2) |
23rd Sep 2024 Good To Yielding 1m 6f 55y |
9st 10lb |
dwelt start, soon led on inner |
16/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 41/60-
Last run: 204 days
W: 9st 11lb
6 yo Filly
OR: 69
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 6 |
21st Feb 2026 Heavy 3m 2f 0y |
11st 2lb |
Dual hurdles winner has shown poor form in five runs over fences, including on handicap chase debut at Down Royal last time when beaten by 29l; others bring more pressing claims. |
25/1 |
|
4th 3 |
20th Jan 2026 Yielding To Soft 3m 0f 0y |
11st 12lb |
Two wins over hurdles, rated 132; nowhere near her best over fences; beaten a long way in three starts in beginners' races and out of her depth in a Grade 2 event at Limerick last time; 12lb below her hurdles rating, but does not appear well handicapped. |
8/1 |
|
4th 8 |
25th Apr 2025 Good To Yielding 2m 3f 200y |
11st 7lb |
towards rear, not fluent and dropped to rear 3rd, detached 3 out, kept on and went remote fourth towards finish |
4/1 |
Abandoned
Form: -00040
Last run: 25 days
W: 9st 9lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 67
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 14 (3) |
29th Jun 2024 Good 1m 2f 0y |
8st 10lb |
1-27 on Flat, 0-13 over hurdles, although better hurdles form than Flat form this year; only one pound out of the handicap. |
20/1 |
|
4th 5 |
9th Jun 2024 Good 2m 3f 49y |
11st 9lb |
soon led, clear after 3rd, reduced lead halfway, headed last (usual 2 out) |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 98/40-
Last run: 292 days
W: 9st 8lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 66
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 13 (3) |
2nd Jun 2024 Good To Yielding 2m 0f 40y |
9st 5lb |
towards rear |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 89-94
Last run: 9 days
W: 9st 4lb
9 yo Mare
OR: 62
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 4 (6) |
13th May 2024 Good 1m 4f 40y |
9st 4lb |
Bumper/hurdle winner who stays 3m over jumps; never dangerous at 100-1 in a 1m2f Cork maiden last month. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 231-73
Last run: 4 days
W: 9st 3lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 62
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 2 |
25th May 2026 Good 2m 6f 100y |
11st 11lb |
Dual-purpose; 3-11 over hurdles; solid Flat run at Navan (1m6f, heavy) after 156-day absence in March but has failed to fire in two handicap hurdles since; remains 9lb above last winning mark; may need respite from the handicapper. |
14/1 |
|
10th 8 |
30th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 7f 110y |
10st 11lb |
Three wins over hurdles up to 2m4f; decent Flat run in March but has to improve on his Fairyhouse hurdles run last time; cheekpieces added. |
16/1 |
|
6th 3 |
6th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 5f 110y |
11st 2lb |
Won at this meeting last year after a break and has generally held form well since, adding wins over hurdles at Listowel and on the Flat at Thurles; went close at Galway in October on last run over timber and just 2lb higher here; pleasing return on the Flat at Navan last week; interesting. |
7/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 56-054 D
Last run: 4 days
W: 8st 13lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 57
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 9 (10) |
29th May 2026 Good 2m 0f 0y |
9st 5lb |
Completed a hat-trick in handicap hurdles last summer before losing his way; decent run at Dundalk last month off 8lb higher AW mark so has to be of interest back on the turf (stamina proven). |
100/30 |
|
4th 4 (5) |
10th Apr 2026 Standard 1m 4f 0y |
10st 0lb |
Completed a hat-trick in handicap hurdles last summer before losing his way; effective here and not badly treated, so could easily stage a revival. |
8/1 |
Verdict
Making a quick reappearance after finishing a good third at Navan on Saturday, GRANN’S BOY gets the vote, despite a slight stamina concern. Also running well on that Navan card was Mephisto, who could emerge the main threat, while the selection’s stablemate Narlita can’t be ruled out as well as smart hurdler Whatcouldhavebeen. [Alan Hewison]