Horse Racing tips: Our 4 fancies at Gowran Park on Thursday

PPTV presenter Rob Catterson has dug out four to score at the Co Kilkenny track.

By / Horse Racing News, Horse Racing Tips / 4 years ago

* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

16:00 My Minervina (Next Best)

This opening fillies maiden looks competitive to say the least, and given that the ones which have seen the racetrack are still winless, it doesn’t look the hottest race on paper. Joseph O’Brien is doubly represented, but the form of his yard is a massive concern to the chances of both Adelisa and Powerful Aggie.

Create Belief runs over the same course and distance as to when she finished third on her only start last October. She is interesting, as is one of the newcomers Saccharo – a half-sister to Burnt Sugar – for Dermot Weld and Colin Keane, but the fact she holds no fancy assignments suggests she may not be anything special. So, with taking all of that on board, this could be a good chance for MY MINERVINA to strike for an in-form Jessica Harrington.

Still a maiden after four starts, her best run to date came when beaten just over t3 lengths by current 1,000 Guineas fancy Santa Barbara at the Curragh last September, when she seemed suited by the good-yielding ground. She also has two decent placed efforts to her name, and this looks well within her grasp judged on what we’ve seen from her to date.

New to Paddy Power?

16:35 Roman Empire (NAP)

The first of two rides for Ryan Moore on the card and it’s probably safe to say that ROMAN EMPIRE is his best chance of a winner. A half-brother to Phoenix Stakes winner Sudirman, the son of Galileo performed well in both of his starts as a juvenile and after showing plenty of signs of greenness at the track back in July. He put that experience to good use when winning over course and distance in October.

Given that both Erzindjan and Laelaps disappointed on their seasonal reappearances, the obvious danger to Aidan O’Brien’s charge appears to be Vafortino, a two-time winner who fared well in two valuable races at the end of last season. The worry about him is the form of Joseph O’Brien’s string at present and given that Roman Empire holds entries in both the 2,000 Guineas and the Irish Derby, he might just have the class to win this.

GowranParkJun20a

18:35 Stratum

This is the feature race on the card, with a couple of these likely to be contesting the better staying races in the months to come. Master Of Reality is having his first run since contesting his second Melbourne Cup last November. The combination of fitness and the burden of top weight won’t make it easy for him.

Camorra takes a step up in class following some good handicap efforts last season, so he could also struggle here. Falcon Flight is likely to be on the shortlist though, given his displays in some group races in 2020. A reproduction of his success in a Listed contest at Sandown in July of 2019 would give him a big chance.

However, Willie Mullins might have the last laugh with one of his two runners. Low Sun has it all to do on official ratings, but STRATUM most definitely has a chance. The highest rated in the field, he gets 2lbs from Master Of Reality after Dylan McMonagle’s claim, and should be nearing peak fitness after a run over hurdles in January. His second-placed effort in last season’s Lonsdale Cup suggests that there’s still plenty left in the tank and he looks to have a great chance of resuming winning ways here.

19:05 Indignation

Of the two 1m 5f handicaps on the card, this division does look the more competitive with plenty of in-form runners. Storm Steps is likely to be at the forefront of the market after a string of fine runs, but they’ve all come at Dundalk and the fact that he’s never been successful on turf is a worry.

Kalanoura is an interesting contender for a rejuvenated Gavin Cromwell and while Sam Ewing is a notable booking, it’s also a concern that the five-year-old has yet to perform away from the all-weather surface. One horse which seems to bring his A-game to both turf and the all-weather is INDIGNATION, and the drying ground is sure to suit this son of Frankel.

A staying-on fourth at Navan last month, on unsuitable heavy ground, John McConnell’s charge has only been raised 1lb for that effort and with Colin Keane aboard, a big run can surely be expected.

Gowran’s tips summary:

16:00 My Minervina
16:35 Roman Empire
18:35 Stratum
19:05 Indignation

DON’T MISS

  • CHECK OUT OUR BRAND NEW SNAZZY RACECARDS FOR EVERY SINGLE RACE TODAY
  • … THEN GET ALL THE WINNERS BEFORE ANYONE ELSE WITH OUR FAST RESULTS

AINTREE TIPS

READ MORE

The latest racing odds are on PaddyPower.com now

THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

What do you think?