Lagostovegas Set for Another Impressive Run at Gowran Park

There’s a great card at Gowran Park on Saturday with the Red Mills Trial the highlight – I’ve taken a look at the races and provided my thoughts.

2:00 – Red Mills Chase

The trip is on the short side, and he failed to meet expectations in the Irish Gold Cup last time, but Our Duke had excuses for that effort, travelling well enough when making a bad mistake at the second last and losing his rear end, and showed himself to be a top-notch chaser as a novice, and is expected to get his Gold Cup bid back on track at the expense of Presenting Percy, who receives weight but is possibly less suited by this trip than Jessica Harrington’s charge. A Toi Phil is ideally suited by conditions, and merits respect, but he falls just short of top class, and may just be found wanting in what is a strong race for the grade.

3:10 – Red Mills Trial Hurdle

Lagostovegas has been a revelation since switched to the yard of Willie Mullins from Harry Kelly a year ago, and while her improvement has mostly been on the flat to date, she beat David’s Charm in a warm hurdle at Listowel in the autumn, and is very well treated by the conditions of this event, receiving more than a stone from Mick Jazz, whose efforts in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown either side of the new year flatter him somewhat. I would suggest that the consistent Forge Meadow could prove a bigger threat, and as well as backing Lagostovegas, I’ll be having a forecast bet with the Harrington mare, who cannot be faulted on recent efforts.

3:45 – Sea Moon & Shantou At Burgage Stud Maiden Hurdle

Les Arceaux has been beaten on both starts over hurdles, but has acquitted himself with lots of credit on both occasions, and has jumped soundly in the main. This maiden hurdle seems to lack any genuine stars, and Henry de Bromhead’s progressive son of Arcano can make it third time lucky. Strange Notions looks the main threat on form, but Charles O’Brien’s filly was a couple of places behind the selection at Naas last time, and is readily held on that showing.

Tips:

Our Duke 

Lagostovegas 

Les Arceaux