Gavin Cromwell
Gavin Cromwell’s William Hill blog: Gowran Park, Punchestown & Fairyhouse preview
William Hill ambassador Gavin Cromwell previews this weekend’s racing from Gowran Park, Punchestown and Fairyhouse.
Gowran Park, Saturday
We start off the weekend with Yeah Man in the two-mile Grade 3 hurdle (13:20). He needs another run over hurdles to qualify for the Pertemps and we’re keen to have a crack at that. This looks a good opportunity to get that under his belt and have him spot on for Cheltenham.
Then we have The King Of Prs in the Albert Bartlett Series Qualifier (14:30). We’re expecting it to be heavy ground and he’s also stepping up in trip, which is a bit of a concern. It’s somewhat of an unknown, but if he does stay then he should have a good chance off his much lower hurdles mark.
Our last on Saturday is Champagne Jury in the beginners chase (15:40). He has a bit to find on ratings with the others, but I’m hoping he’s going to develop into a nice chaser. He’s a big horse and a good jumper, so we’re hopeful he’ll be a better chaser. We know he likes the track as he’s a winner there, the ground should suit and so should the trip.
Punchestown, Sunday
We run two in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown on Sunday (14:30). Keith Donoghue was delighted to see the weights go up as Born Braver will now carry 11st 4lb, which is his weight.
I think he should stay fine and he tends to race a bit lazily which allows him to stay on well. He went up a few pounds for his second the last day, but I’m hoping he can be competitive here and run a big race.
This looks a good race for The Lovely Man as well. He should appreciate the step up in trip and testing ground. He’s up 10lbs for his last win and he’s off a career-high, but we’re hopeful he can keep going in the right direction.
We finish the weekend with Begorra Man in the bumper (16:20). He was a non-runner last weekend but he’s in shape and we’re happy with him at home. He should be fine on the ground and he’s a horse I really like, so hopefully he can run well here.
Fairyhouse, Monday
We have a couple of runners at Fairyhouse on Monday, starting off with Dameauscottlestown having her first go over fences in the mares beginners chase (13:50). She surprised us with a couple of big runs over hurdles and we’re hoping she can keep going in the right direction now switched to fences.
She’s a big mare and fences should bring out more improvement in her. She has a little bit to find on ratings with a few in here, but not too much, so hopefully she can go well again.
Ole Ole goes in the maiden hurdle (16:20) and it looks a good opportunity for him to get his head in front after three seconds. He’s in good shape and should have a good chance in this.
