GOWRAN PARK: Shamrock has a double at Gowran Park today starting with his nap in the opener at 2.35. It’s a full day of racing in Ireland with racing this afternoon from Gowran Park and all-weather action from Dundalk tonight.


Irish racing resumes with a vengeance today racing afternoon and evening at Gowran Park and Dundalk through to 9.25pm.

For many the best bet of the day could come in the opening race at Gowran Park. Henry De Bromhead’s Absolutlyfantasic  is my nap of the day in the 2.35 on his hurdling debut.

It was hard not to be impressed when we saw him winning a NH flat race at Killarney in July and he should make the transition well to obstacles. The trainer himself is in good form (three winners from his last eight runners) and despite the large field going to post there doesn’t appear to be much strength in depth.

Current BETDAQ offers of around 2.35 look fair enough.

Landenstown Lady would have won but for falling at the last at Down Royal on her hurdling debut and it remains to be seen how that experience has affected her. It was a promising effort but in a race that looked weaker than today’s but she is still preferred to Boxer Beat who could be booked for a place again.

Later on at Gowran Park I’m against Jakros in the 4.45 – he made too many mistakes on his chjasing debut and didn’t look to enjoy the experience at all. That leaves the race between Misala and Sizing Santiago who last season was with Nigel Twiston-Davies. He is interesting but the better bet today maybe Misala who shaped well enough on his chasing debut at Listowel on testing ground. He does have a good run over hurdles at Punchestown to his name to suggest the faster conditions shouldn’t be an inconvenience.

SHAMROCK’S BETS:
NAP: Absolutlyfantastic (Gowran Park 2.35)
NEXT BEST: Misala (Gowran Park 4.45)