Gowran Park - Wed 20 May 2026
Seven-year-old INDEPENDENT EXPERT is an eight-time winner and has plenty in her favour as she contests another claimer. Rated as high as 93 last July, she scored once from three starts in claimer company last winter and again showed her wellbeing by winning on soft ground at Naas in March. Gloriously Glam won a claimer here last September and is an able handicapper who should run well, while all-weather specialist and stablemate Clonmacash heads the remainder.
FLEUR DE PROVENCE has an excellent pedigree and showed promise on debut. Out of a Group 2 winner, whose half-brother Royal Diamond landed an Irish St Leger, it is a small concern that the selection hasn't raced for 59 days but she holds Sanctijude on Naas form and can progress further on better ground. Nellcote is out of a Listed-winning half-sister to a Group 3 winner and could prove to be smart.
CHAMONIX has shown ability in two starts and contests a winnable maiden. By top stallion Wootton Bassett and out of a Group 3-placed dam, the selection ran well on his Curragh debut and while beaten over six lengths at Cork last month, that was a useful maiden from which the third-placed horse scored next time. Rolltight debuted for new connections when finishing second over C&D 15 days ago. That race possibly wasn't as strong as the selection's maiden races but nonetheless looks sure to be competitive once again. Big Cypress has fair form, while Hassaniya hasn't run since March but the booking of Colin Keane is a positive.
Rated a good bit higher earlier in his career, MYTHICAL ROCK is interesting on his second start for Charles Byrnes. Having finished eighth on his stable debut at Limerick last month, the gelding had his excuses on that occasion. The five-year-old ran well on his only previous visit here when third last October. Nicely drawn towards the centre of runners, jockey Paddy Harnett can track the pace and produce his mount to challenge early in the straight. Staywitherjohnny stepped up on previous runs when third here earlier this month. Despite a wide draw, the grey filly can get involved. Roscommon fourth River Derwent also holds claims under James Ryan.
SPARAN NUA, who created a very favourable impression on her debut at Naas, can follow up. The Jim Bolger-trained Dawn Approach filly stayed on strongly to readily beat some worthy opponents. Open to any amount of improvement after just one start, stepping up in trip here could see her in an even better light. She is taken to maintain her perfect record before connections raise their sights. Sligo winner Lady Mairen has enough racing experience to keep the selection honest and there should be more to come from the four-year-old. Third over course and distance on debut, Vauntingly should be all the better for that initial outing.
Unlucky in running when bidding for a hat-trick last time, CELTIC DRUID can gain compensation. Having struck up a good partnership with Sadhbh Tormey, the five-year-old looks to have a bit more to offer off his current mark. Granted a clear passage, he would almost certainly have won at Navan last month, so a subsequent 3lb rise seems fair. Sonic Invader, who shaped with promise in maidens, should be all the better for last month's handicap debut at Navan. It is encouraging that Colin Keane rides the four-year-old for the first time since his debut. Makaiah is also respected.
DESERT FRIEND can add to his recent success at Sligo. A winner off higher marks in the past, the Pat Murphy-trained 10-year-old remains in this bottom grade, despite an easy seven-length win. With Conor Cusack once again taking 7lb off his back, the veteran can follow up. Despite just the one win on the Flat, Mephisto has to be a strong contender under Colin Keane. A three-time scorer over hurdles last August, the grey looks very well treated off a mark of just 49 on the level. Lightly raced on the Flat, Maiden hurdle winner Our Lucky Lady is another with every chance reverting to this code.
The mare INDEPENDENT EXPERT was below her best last time but dropping into a claimer could see her return to form with her holding a good chance at the weights. Venetian, stepping back up in trip from 5f, looks one of the main dangers although Clonmacash is respeced too if leaving behind a lesser effort at Chester last time. He'd earlier been in winning form at Dundalk.
This can go to FLEUR DE PROVENCE, who shaped with a good deal of promise when runner-up over this trip at Naas on debut and, granted normal progress, can go one place better. Bofa Beach is respected on her debut effort and looks the danger if bouncing back from a lesser effort the second time but Nellcote is a newcomer to take seriously for her top yard.
Rolltight improved to finish runner-up over C&D last time and has since been gelded so there could be even more to come but Joseph O'Brien sends two with a chance in the shape of BIG CYPRESS and Chamonix. The selection improved to finish fourth over 7f at Limerick last time and ought to raise raise his game again now upped to 1m. He's preferred to stablemate Chamonix although that one is open to progress after just two starts himself.
A big field and plenty to consider, let's take a chance on CHIPSRDOWN who although disappointing at Kilbeggan last time, had earlier finished a good fifth at Leopardstown and the application of a first-time visor could be enough to see her improve and get off the mark. Mythical Rock is another comng off a modest display but seriously considered on his penultimate effort - a win over 11f at Dundalk. Rampage, a consistent sort over 7/8f, and Just Another Eagle, back from an absence but given a chance at her best if fit, are others to consider.
It could to pay on the 3yo pair of SPARAN NUA and Vauntingly in this. The selection ran out a good winner of a 1m maiden at Naas on debut, being well on top at the line, and promises to improve a good bit for the step up in trip. Vauntingly receives weight from all and looks a threat with improvement likely for her top yard, while Lady Mairen is taken to fare best of the two older runners. She's coming off a handicap win at Sligo.
This can go to the 4yo filly EARTHSONG, who has found some form of late at Navan, twice running well in defeat over similar trips, and she could raise her game again to get off the mark here. Celtic Druid failed in his hat-trick bid last time but still ran well and is one who will appeal to plenty of people also. He's the danger. Quiz Test should leave a quiet reappearance run behind and is third choice with improvement likely, although Master Sydney could do better tried in a new headgear combination and isn't on a bad mark.
A wide draw doesn't help but MEPHISTO should again go well having returned to the Flat with a fair run over 12f at Dundalk last time. This longer trip ought not to be an issue and he's just favoured over the top weight Desert Friend, a winner last time at Sligo who stays this trip well. He's a 10yo but remains most capable. Third choice is Jurality, who has been in fair form over shorter and ran well in a competitive race at Leopardstown last time.
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