April 09 / 19.45 Gowran Park

19.45

Soft

Gowranpark.ie Handicap

  • Prize money: £10243.48
  • 1m 4f 0y
  • 9 runners
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Gowranpark.ie Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £16.50
  • Place: £4.00

Form: 124/

Last run: 754 days

W: 10st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Useful AW winner in France over 1m/1m1f; campaigned solely over hurdles by current yard, winning Limerick novice on heavy over Christmas, following month okay effort in similar Punchestown contest; first try at this trip on return to the Flat on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(8)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Holy See

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: William Durkan

Ex-French; campaigned mainly over hurdles by current yard but won over 1m4f at Gowran Park (soft) in April and produced a career best when running on well for second of 20 in amateurs' race at the Galway festival (2m1f, yielding) on latest outing; he didn't have the run of the race in the latter and is unexposed as a Flat stayer; could go very well again.

5/1

2nd

1

(7)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 179y

18:40 Galway

Holy See

12st 2lb

J: Ms K M Ryan

T: William Durkan

Useful AW winner in France over 1m/1m1f; campaigned mainly over hurdles by current yard; won over 1m4f on soft at Gowran on penultimate start; big burden even with 7lb claimed.

16/1

11th

3

(10)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

19:20 Curragh

Holy See

9st 6lb

J: Jamie Orr

T: William Durkan

Useful AW winner in France over 1m/1m1f; campaigned mainly over hurdles by current yard, winning Limerick novice on heavy over Christmas; fine first effort on the Flat for current yard when winning 1m4f Gowran handicap under today's rider in April (soft) under a positive ride; 5lb higher here but remains of interest.

15/2

7/2

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 6678-1 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Off the mark on yard debut over this trip at the Curragh last month under positive ride in testing conditions by a diminishing margin; 8lb higher but remains on a competitive mark and should go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

(1)

28th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 194y

17:25 Down Royal

Rock Of Ireland

9st 13lb

J: Rory Mulligan

T: Rory Anthony Devine

Looked a non stayer over 2m at Galway and then ran well to be beaten 5l last week at Listowel (1m4f, yielding) in a competitive handicap; has no ground preferences; shortlisted.

7/1

5th

9

(14)

21st Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:05 Listowel

Rock Of Ireland

8st 11lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Rory Anthony Devine

Only 1-20 but has the form to feature off this mark and a likely non-stayer over 2m at Galway in July (after three months off); each-way claims if he's on his game.

20/1

17th

2

(16)

29th Jul 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 110y

20:20 Galway

Rock Of Ireland

10st 1lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Rory Anthony Devine

Successful yard debut on seasonal return at the Curragh in March (1m4f, heavy) and has run well on both turf starts since over same trip; stamina unproven over this far.

10/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 214/3- D

Last run: 376 days

W: 9st 0lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Three-time Flat winner in Britain for Andrew Balding; just 1-19 hurdling, quite highly tried at times; place claims when last-flight faller in Leopardstown handicap last month; possible fitness edge over some of these so don't rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(7)

4th Oct 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 0y

16:50 Curragh

Whimsy

11st 2lb

J: Ms A M Connolly

T: Anthony McCann

Three-time Flat winner in Britain (including on soft) and also winning hurdler; never sighted on recent comeback run, but more expected of here.

9/1

14th

3

(17)

2nd Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

17:08 Navan

Whimsy

11st 13lb

J: Miss A B O’Connor

T: Anthony McCann

Useful Flat performer, winning three times and placing on a further nine occasions from 17 turf starts; took third at Gowran in April (1m4f, soft) and went one place better when beaten a neck at Musselburgh next time (2m, good); has often been frustrating, as shown by hurdles record 1-20; second eight times.

12/1

Form: 52242- D

Last run: 164 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Showed good form in 2024 with a trio of wins from 1m2f-1m6f and runner-up on three of last four starts last term, final occasion over this trip at Galway in October; respected on return, market could prove informative to his readiness.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(5)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Granite Bay

9st 3lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: Jarlath P Fahey

Can front-run; reliable sort despite no win since September 2024, albeit with his form dipping slightly behind Holy See at Galway last time (favourite); first taste of this track needs to spark something extra from him.

11/2

7th

6

(3)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 179y

18:40 Galway

Granite Bay

11st 10lb

J: Mr D Doyle

T: Jarlath P Fahey

Showed good form in 2024 with a trio of wins from 1m2f-1m6f; runner-up in three of last four starts last term; fourth to Holy See on seasonal return at Gowran in April (1m4f, soft); another solid display when third over 2m at the Curragh.

9/1

OUR TIP

Form: 0237-6 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Seven-time winner didn't manage to get his head in front last year but ran well in defeat at times; keen and didn't get home over 1m6f in testing conditions on last month's comeback at Navan; back in trip here so more expected of.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

(11)

21st Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:05 Listowel

Star Harbour

9st 2lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Adrian McGuinness

Seven-time turf winner who is running well and he wasn't favoured by his track position when just behind War Rooms on Leopardstown's big card last week; considered.

14/1

12th

21

(2)

12th Sep 2026

Good

1m 5f 0y

17:35 Leopardstown

Star Harbour

8st 10lb

J: Reese Holohan

T: Adrian McGuinness

Seven-time turf winner; has never won on AW (despite 18 attempts) so it seems encouraging that he managed a second placing on his latest visit to Dundalk four weeks ago; that was prefaced by a second at Gowran earlier that week.

25/1

3rd

14

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

17:25 Curragh

Star Harbour

12st 0lb

J: Tadhg McGuinness

T: Adrian McGuinness

Seven turf wins including over C&D; fine AW 2nd last time; rated 86 on turf and can go close.

4/1

6th
6 (7)
Zoffman

7/1

Form: 48070- D

Last run: 172 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose 7yo whose losing run on the Flat stretches back to October 2022; absent since down the field in Leopardstown premier handicap in October; okay mark but probably wants a bit better ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

3rd Oct 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 40y

14:30 Gowran Park

Zoffman

11st 0lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Noel Meade

Had a lot of Flat racing, winning only twice but in good form this year; maiden hurdle winner and capable of better than he showed in his latest run over jumps when tailed off in a Ballinrobe handicap in May; some stamina doubts over this far.

10/1

4th

10

(3)

16th Sep 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 174y

18:43 Clonmel

Zoffman

8st 13lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Noel Meade

Dual Flat winner in 2022 and added a maiden hurdle last year; nothing of note this year until staying-on third at Tramore (2m); moderate run over 1m4f next time before beaten a neck in Ulster Cesarewitch at Down Royal (18.5f, good) 12 days ago; the winner followed up at Musselburgh on Saturday; big player.

7/2

2nd

5

(10)

4th Sep 2026

Good

2m 2f 141y

18:00 Down Royal

Zoffman

9st 7lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Noel Meade

Dual Flat winner in 2022 and added a maiden hurdle last year; nothing of note this year until signs of a return to form when a staying-on third over 2m at Tramore; confidence dented by a moderate run over 1m4f on Monday.

14/1

Form: 15080- D

Last run: 164 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Limerick maiden winner at this trip on seasonal debut last June (good) but faced some stiff tasks afterwards in search of black-type on softer ground and soundly beaten in Galway handicap (Granite Bay second) final start in October; ground remains a concern on comeback run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(3)

28th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 194y

13:59 Down Royal

Denim And Diamonds

9st 12lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Second runner for yard; is yet to add to her Limerick maiden win of last year; some decent runs in defeat this year including at the Curragh last time; needs more off 1lb lower but cheekpieces might help.

15/2

7th

2

(10)

22nd Aug 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:00 Curragh

Denim And Diamonds

9st 10lb

J: Shay Wallace

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Yet to add to Limerick maiden win (12.5f, good) last summer; step in the right direction on latest at Ballinrobe (1m5f, yielding) when a 4.75l fourth of 8; shorter trip and faster ground here a plus and rider takes off a handy 7lb; not discounted.

14/1

4th

3

(6)

22nd Jun 2026

Yielding

1m 5f 0y

20:30 Ballinrobe

Denim And Diamonds

9st 9lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Limerick maiden winner (on good ground) has failed to fire in two runs at Gowran this season, though this is more realistic than the Listed race she contested there last time; a drying track would aid her cause but needs to revive.

7/1

100/30

Form: 2/421-

Last run: 319 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Decent dual-purpose sort finished second in last year's Fred Winter Hurdle at Cheltenham and two fine Flat runs on good ground in May, second at Killarney and decisive win in first-time cheekpieces over 1m6f at the Curragh off 78; 9lb higher and ground probably softer than ideal but yard in cracking form and can't be ruled out on return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

31st Aug 2026

Good

2m 3f 100y

16:29 Downpatrick

Robbies Rock

11st 12lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Gavin Cromwell

Rated 83 on the Flat and 127 over hurdles; did not show a great deal on his chase debut at Galway but this is easier and stable in fine form.

8/1

8th

9

28th Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 54y

17:10 Galway

Robbies Rock

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Useful dual-purpose performer; rated 83 on the Flat; 1-6 over hurdles and rated 127; out of form on the Flat this year, however, and not bred for chasing; others appeal more.

12/1

25/1

Form: 35167/ D

Last run: 528 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
French Flat winner at this trip on good ground but nothing so far hurdling for current yard; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(2)

9th Apr 2026

Soft

1m 4f 0y

19:45 Gowran Park

Catch Fire

8st 10lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: A J Martin

French Flat winner at this trip on good ground but nothing so far hurdling for current yard; best watched.

25/1

12th

4

1st Nov 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 190y

13:00 Down Royal

Catch Fire

11st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: A J Martin

Sea The Stars gelding a 1m4f winner on good ground for Francis-Henri Graffard last August; two hurdle runs have been modest, can only be watched for now.

66/1

12th

4

1st Nov 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 190y

13:00 Down Royal

Catch Fire

11st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: A J Martin

Sea The Stars gelding a 1m4f winner on good ground for Francis-Henri Graffard last August; two hurdle runs have been modest, can only be watched for now.

66/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €45.80
Straight Forecast €40.42
Tricast €112.30
Trifecta €451.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Rock Of Ireland

TOPSPEED:

Denim And Diamonds

The Irish Sun:

Granite Bay

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Rock Of Ireland

POSTDATA:

Rock Of Ireland