Horse racing tips: Gowran Park – Eamonn Hames’ top betting preview for Saturday, March 10
Eamonn Hames guides you through Saturday's racing from Gowran Park with a competitive card.
GOWRAN PARK
2.30
A decent little handicap that looks a great opportunity for the improving stayer SPANCIL HILL to back-up last months impressive Punchestown victory.
Michael McDonagh’s eight-year-old has been bumped up 7lb for that, but he faces a similar class of opposition here and the ground will be much the same.
Wood Emery looked the business on his handicap debut, but Back Bar is feared more over this distance. The speedier Gigginstown six-year-old has been crying out for further since going handicapping and he’ll find this a lot easier than he did on either start at Naas.
Glenabo Bridge has a bit to find with the selection on their recent starts, but he’s been running well all season and should be in the fight for the places.
3.05
TRAINER Liz Doyle is steadily hitting form and her LA BELLA VIDA could be well handicapped. She’s improved hugely for fences and looked one to watch when keeping subsequent Grade 1 winner Shattered Love honest at Clonmel. She gets in off a lovely racing weight and the booking of Sean Flanagan shows connections intent.
Three Wise Men, Jimmy Two Times and the 13-year-old De Benno all have plenty going for them, but this could be the time for Peoples Park to show some of his old spark. He’s been showing a little more lately and having Barry Geraghty back aboard is an obvious plus.
Eamonn Hames' top tips
Gowran Park 3.05 - La Bella Vida: 'Has a lovely racing weight and Sean Flanagan is an eye-catching booking'
Gowran Park 3.40 - Close Shave: 'Marathon distance are the future for this fellow and he can take his first one here'
3.40
JESSICA HARRINGTON has not had a great run of things with Sizing John being ruled out of the Gold Cup, but she can get a pre-Cheltenham boost here courtesy of the scopey CLOSE SHAVE.
The J P McManus owned seven-year-old is a thorough stayer that has been gaining experience over shorter this season.
The Irish National looks the big target for him and he really must be winning this to have any chance there. Marathon distances are the future for this fellow and he can make his first foray over three miles a winning one by taking the Leinster National in style.
Willie Mullins’ new recruit Pairofbrowneyes, Glencairn View, Poormans Hill and the other J P McManus runners all merit their positions towards the head of the market, however better value may lie elsewhere.
Space Cadet, Fine Theatre and Mick The Jiver all appeal at double figure prices, but it is Bonny Kate that looks the best bet at a working man’s price.
Noel Meade’s eight-year-old may not have won in a few years, but she has been consistently good when finishing off her races and she obviously likes it here with a maiden hurdle win and a Thyestes Chase third from two starts at Gowran Park.