*All prices are current with our stylish widgets, while copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
This is a competitive affair in which many may stand a chance, but cool arcade holds the most compelling claims. He’s been off to a strong start since joining Henry of Bromhead from John Clifford, hitting the frame in three of his four starts with his best effort coming when he finished second over two and a half miles to Navan on his penultimate outing. Coole Arcade should be as effective at two miles and he remains on a competitive note, so he should launch a bold bid under Rachael Blackmore. Kashi and Brosna Rocco both arrive in fine form and are others to consider.
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Sam’s Choice found two miles presenting an inadequate endurance test despite being only fourth on his hurdles debut at Galway in October and he duly took a big step forward when he increased his trip to Punchestown, finishing a close second on just under two. and three-quarters of a mile. It was an encouraging effort behind a rival who has since finished second to a 2nd year Novice and is pretty much the choice of form on offer. Sam’s Choice has even more to offer on obstacles and seems to be the one to beat.
Looks like a good opportunity for Stayers Hurdle favorite Klassical Dream. He made an impressive comeback after a long layoff when landing the Champion Stayers Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival last year on his first three-mile attempt, and he displayed a classy performance when he was successful when he reappeared in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown last month. classic dream beat Flooring Porter, winner of last year’s Stayers’ Hurdle, in the division’s best performance so far this season, and he should prove a cut above this opposition.
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Auckland produced their best effort to date when they finished second in a two-mile novice hurdle in Limerick last month and form is starting to work well as third, fourth and fifth all finished placed in high profile events scope next time. Auckland was only beaten by one length, although he stumbled after the penultimate as he held every chance, and he looks well treated on this form. The ascent to two and a half miles won’t be a problem and he should report that.
Escaria Ten took the chase well last season and he showed a very smart level of form as he finished third in a solid edition of the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, finding only Galvin and Next Destination too strong. He was stopped in the Irish Grand National less than three weeks later, but he probably found the race too soon after his big effort at the Festival, and is much better judged on his race form at Cheltenham. He is still relatively unexposed as a chaser and appears to be on the right path to a return to action, so he can hand trainer Gordon Elliott a third Thyestes Chase win in five years.
It looks like a simple task for Sublime Heart and he can make the most of the right opportunity. Coeur Sublime, a Grade 2 winning hurdler, only found Ferny Hollow too strong on his hunting debut at Punchestown last month and he then ran honorably when third in Grade company 1 at Leopardstown last time out in a race also won by Ferny Hollow. He can take advantage of this marked drop in rating and achieve deserved success.
There’s not much form to go on here but Mercurey draws attention to the pedigree since his mother, Mangoun, is a sister of Molotof and Marracudja, a couple of intelligent hunters. Given how dominant Willie Mullins has been with his outstanding reps, it would be surprising if Mercurey wasn’t fit enough or knowledgeable enough to do himself justice on the first try.
Tips for Gowran Park:
13:00 – Cool Arcade
13:35 – Sam’s choice
14:05 – Classic dream
2:35 p.m. – Auckland
15:05 – Escaria Ten
3:35 p.m. – Sublime Heart
4:07 p.m. – Mercurey
*All prices are current with our stylish widgets, while copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
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