Red Rum was born here!

Racing this afternoon from the scenic North Kilkenny venue of Gowran Park. You really are in racing country today. Located near the villages of Bagnelstown and Goresbridge you won’t have to look too far to find the famous Closutton establishment of Willie Mullins. His brother Tony trains across the road from the track and one of Ireland’s favourite horses Danoli was trained just down the road by Tom Foley.Oh and of course no less a horse than Red Rum was bred by the McEnery family only a stone’s throw from the track . Beat that if you can!

The opening juvenile maiden hurdle sees French import Darroun making his debut here over timber .Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Ruby Walsh, a firm that have an enviable 39% strike rate here at Gowran over the past few years. Obsession didn’t run a bad race on his debut, while Bat Masterson is consistent and should run into a place today.

The two mile maiden hurdle at 1.05 is an interesting race where the former O’Brien trained Don Leone makes his debut over timber for John Halley.Tabhachtach also enters the reckoning as does the consistent Ned Mitchell trained Luddenmore.

The Goresbridge hurdle at 1.35 has attracted a small but select field of five runners.Make A Track appeals on the basis of a decent third in a classy Navan graded race on his latest start while the mare Ceol Rua can be forgiven her latest effort at Wexford as it was reported that she coughed on her return home.

The three miler at 2.35 should be a lively betting heat in which Willie’s Quatto De Flotte and Peter Fahey’s Pride Of The Artic could be the principals. Jimmy Mangan also has a reasonable each way chance with his Castle  Wings  ,a horse that was still in contention when falling at Limerick on his latest start.

Our only handicap of the day the Mares Hurdle takes place at 3.05.Thirteen runners and plenty of dark horses running in their first handicaps today.I simply love these pre Christmas handicaps ,plots galore ,crimbo expenses,prep runs for Limerick etc .All the ingredients of a race today that is ripe for someone to have it right off! .According To Lizzy ran into a pudding in Harolds Cross on her latest start and with Russell up today he must have a chance.Leanne looks interesting ,given that she runs off a 22lbs lower mark over hurdles comparative to her chase rating.Little Wonder that Barry Geraghty wants to be on board today. Finally watch for any manoeuvres in the direction of the lightly raced Beabus House, she could be anything!

Onto the the two and a quarter mile maiden, a race where Golanbrook might get his head in front and not before time too. He has hunted up some pretty decent horses over the past few months at Thurles including Lord Windermere and Mnt Benbulben and should go close today. Miriam’s Dream made a nice debut also at Thurles earlier in the year while Are Ya Right Chief numbered the subsequent winner Please Talk among his victims when successful at Fairyhouse on his latest start.

Racing closes with the bumper at 3.35 a race where Primroseandblue represents the powerful Willie Mullins firm. Silver Circle also has his chance for The Shark while Six Stone Ned is sure to have come on for his debut run at  Punchestown earlier in the year.

Top racing from Gowran and do remember to contact Star Spreads for all the latest market positions on today’s racing. You won’t be disappointed!

Donal