Gowran Park Betting Preview: Wednesday 13th August

005 Irish Racing / Editor / 13 August 2008 / Leave a Comment

Gowran Park's evening fixture managed to survive some monsoon-like conditions and the formbook will be of limited worth as a result. John McDermott marks your card.

There is a decent eight race card on offer this evening at Gowran Park with a Listed event for fillies being the highlight. The ground is more akin to Thyestes Day in mid-January so getting home will be a real slog for some; and strung out fields will be the order of the day.

Drumbeat looks the obvious choice in the opening contest, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, but preference is given to Douze Points. Joseph Murphy's charge was second to Westphalia on yielding ground back in June and Westphalia has gone on to win in Listed-company since. He has been finishing races like he needs further, so this evening's seven furlongs shouldn't pose any problems. He currently trades at [3.3] and anything greater than [3.0] is worth a small investment to get the ball rolling.

Advice: Douze Points to Win

The Rooftop Restaurant Nursery has a number of runners renewing rivalry but at [4.4] and greater the field, it's a tough nut to crack. If you take a line through the form of Thecreditcrunchie, then Tarrsille holds both Take A Chance and Tosach Nua and he was a real steamer in the market last time out. Playdate is coming back from a layoff and seven furlongs on soft ground may be a step too far for her this evening. Optimal Power is the danger but Tarrsille at 4.7 in this ten runner event looks good enough to tempt me into a wager.

Advice: Tarrsille to win

There are a number of course specialists in the line-up for the Kilkenny Racing Festival Handicap with the selection being Shayrazan who was successful just a week ago at this track. Soft ground will not hinder him and there is further improvement before the handicapper gets a real hold of him. The James Leavy team look in good order having had a win and two places at Galway and at 5.2, Shayrazan looks value to continue their good run.

Advice: Shayrazan to win

Kitty Hawk Miss is taken to make up for losses incurred on her at Cork last week by winning the Mcenery Cup Handicap. Soft ground and the twelve furlongs trip will suit her better than most in an event where some will struggle to get home. The 2.9 on offer as I write is unlikely to be available later today so get on when you can.

Advice: Kitty Hawk Miss to win

I really can't see past John Oxx's Katiyra in the Irish Stallion Farms Hurry Harriet Stakes in which she drops back to listed grade after performing well at Group One level. She has shown enough speed to handle stepping back to nine furlongs and has handled cut in the ground as a juvenile. Adrian Maguire's Valentine Hill either finishes first or last and a small place wager is suggested.

Advice: Katiyra to Win, Valentine Hill for a place

The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden is not one to wade in on and I'm struggling to pick one when everyone is open to improvement. Weld and O'Brien entries will always dominate the market in an event like this but I'd have a place bet on Sunshine Queen if pushed. Danny Mullins will take seven pounds off and anything approaching 4.0 for a place is worth considering.

Advice: Sunshine Queen for a place

Andre Mon Ami showed enough to earn my vote on the strength of his first run in Ireland when third at Galway in a better maiden that this one. Seamus Heffernan being on board strengthens confidence and the [5.3] on offer looks a steal in the State Street Ireland Maiden. Anfield Road will have all the Liverpool supporters lumping on and is the danger if improving from his last outing at the Curragh.

Advice: Andre Mon Ami to Win

Good Time Sue has found form in recent runs and should be followed for a win and place in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap. If she can transfer her seven furlongs form at Fairyhouse in June to tonight's trip of twelve, then she rates value at 7.8. She has acted on yielding going so rates a good bet to slog it home in the final race of the evening when the ground will be close to bottomless.

Advice: Good Time Sue to win and place