7th October - Gowran Park Review(AW)

7th October – Gowran Park

Going: Hurdle course - Good; Chase course – Good to Yielding (Yielding in places) (Times suggest ran good all round)

Rusty Red’s performance was reasonable. Quite what to expect from him in the future is a little trickier. The ability to win means somewhere along the line he should find another opportunity. Carrying penalties in novice events, especially, as the winter sets in, with new lighter weighted prospects may not be so simple however. Stable mate Piltown could prove a slightly better prospect for Joe Crowley, but his preference for firmer going will make it tricky for him also. Officer Krupke looked to be missing Ruby Walsh today, but he should have another win in him too. Total Victory caught the eye in third the most of all. I am not one to knock jockeys, but Dave Flannery was by no means seen at his best on him, and that is being kinder than some may have been. This fact has now been born out, as Total Victory went on to win a graded hurdle at Aintree, so the ability he hinted at in this run has sadly now been exposed.

Ironically, Dave Flannery then went on to win the next race of the day in what appears to be a fairly solid handicap. Monty Mint put up a good performance to see off the challenge of Freddie Foster. Monty Mint has since gone on to finish second to a progressive Jessica Harrington runner, Hide The Evidence. It would be fair to expect Monty Mint to have at least another handicap win in him, and especially if found the right opportunity with a more experienced jockey onboard on good ground. Freddie Foster meanwhile has since ran in a flat race, won by exciting Tom Hogan prospect Bluebyyou, a horse to keep an eye out for over hurdles. Freddie Foster should also be found an opportunity down the line.

The next handicap hurdle of the day saw Sonne Cinq relish the recent step up to three miles. Willie Mullins will be targeting listed races with her, as it will add to her foal value as a future broodmare. She was most certainly produced very fit on the day and I can envisage her getting at least placed in better races, nothing to especially get carried away with however. Of the runners in behind, many showed their standard level of form. The horse that I would be most inclined to take from the race would be the Eric McNamara trained Buachaill Eile, I would hope the heavy winter ground coupled with track that suits a
front runner will see him gain a second win over hurdles.

Sir Oj gained a nice success in the grade 2 chase. He will be more lightly campaigned this year and they will avoid over racing him. Light On The Broom is no spring chicken and not one to be too fussed following.

Sher Why Not took the maiden hurdle. He is a horse that has had his training problems in the past. It will remain to be seen as to whether he is good enough to stay in novice races for long and much will depend upon the handicapper I would imagine. This was a fairly average race and nothing in particular stood out in the remainder of the field.

Carthalawn put in a pleasing display to land the beginners chase. He is happiest when allowed to dominate it seems, and race’s featuring no real pace should provide him with opportunity. I would expect
him to step up in company in the near future however, where he may be found ever so slightly wanting.
Dead Sound, a half brother to the useful Go Roger Go, is one to keep a track of, with some ability of his own. This was a reasonable start and I would definitely expect him to win in the near future.