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I usually give this race a bigger look, but with so many of them with multiple engagement, not to mention half the original entries being made up of Elliot/Mullins runners, then it made sense to hold off.
I’m very glad I waited, as I’ve been very keen on Invitation Only for this race for months, and I was contemplating a decent go on him, but he’s taking up his engagement at Thurles.
The field has been whittled down a bit at the five day stage, and a few in there, who are taking up their other options.
https://www.racingpost.com/racecards/184/gowran-park/2019-01-24/720902
Not convinced I’ll play Antepost, but a few of them standing out at this stage, and that could easily change.
Monbeg Notorious – Won this last year off of 14 lbs lower, but I think he looks more than capable of defying the rise. His run at Punchestown was a real eyecatcher, finishing like a train, and he’s been on my radar ever since. Although seen as a mudlark, I don’t think he’s that ground dependent, and I think there’s a real possibility that his future is outwith handicaps. Holds entries for both The Cheltenham, and Irish Golds Cups, and I don’t think those entries are just for the sake of it. He could of course be Aintree bound as well, in which case he doesn’t want to be winning this, but he looks an obvious player, and at a price too. 16’s
Solomn Grundy – Looks to have improved, as expected, for the switch to Henry De Bromhead, and having went so close in The Foxrock, he then ran a solid race in The Paddy Power. Trainers runners always to be feared in a race like this, looks a certain runner, and is deservedly at the top of the market. 11’s
Mall Dini – Love this horse, and always give him a good word. Still a Novice though, and I’m not convinced that they’ll want him to land this, as they’ve surely got a target at Cheltenham in mind. Kim Muir might be beyond him this year, and he’s perhaps one for The Ultima, but if Cheltenham wasn’t the priority, then he’s real player here, off a mark that I still think is fair. 16’s
Pairofbrowneyes – Too bad to be true in The Paddy Power, but I refuse to write him off, on the back of that, and I think he has the right profile for this. Has to bounce back, and although he’s another who might not want to blow his mark for Aintree, where I’d be confident that he’s heading, he has to be near the top of my shortlist. Price looks generous. 20’s
Up For Review – He’s another who I think is a cert to be heading for The Grand National, and unlike some of these, he can afford a big run, and still be on a realistic mark afterwards. Clearly got bags of potential (for a 10yo), and though he’s been difficult to train, I just suspect that he’s been kept fresh for this. Same connections as Invitation Only, and perhaps telling that they’ve opted for this boy here. He’s surely better than 146, and looks a massive player. I’m loving that price, it’ll surely collapse if he’s declared. 20’s
Some Neck – Slow burner, who took care of a decent field at Punchestown in November. Another Mullins runner, which muddies the water slightly, but he’s very hard to pick holes in, and only raised 5 lbs for that win. Impossible to rule out. 14’s
General Principle – Another Elliot/Giggs horse, and they’ve made no secret that Aintree is the plan. They just want to be careful with his current mark, which suggests that he might just take a hand here. Bar the winner, nothing travelled better in The Troytown, and though he eventually faded, it was the same story last year, and he went on to scoop The Irish National. Risky here, as his big target is surely in The Spring, but I reckon he’s actually miles ahead of his mark. I genuinely believe he’ll go close in one of the big handicaps this year, and it’s just a matter of timing when considering him. 16’s
Nick Lost – I thought he’d have shown more this winter, as I was very impressed with him last summer. I’ve not given up hope though, and after some lofty tasks, he’s quietly put in her for his handicap debut. He’s a very promising sort, and the books are taking a chance I reckon with that price. 25’s
As I said, just a very quick look, and I’ve not actually put any cash down yet. That’ll change though, and I will have one of them on my side before final Decs.
All of those mentioned are seriously considered, but if having a bet right now, it would definitely be…..
Up For Review 20’s
As you know I really like that horse too and if the ground has enough cut I think he will run. I agree the National may be the plan as he is a big scopey flat track big galloping horse with enough class for it, and also stays. He’s also 10 years old and presumably a bit fragile so they might as well go for it this year rather than babysitting him this season with the risk that he falls apart anyway.
To qualify for Aintree he needs to place in a 3 mile chase so I don’t think he’ll be toddling round the back here. 20s EW is a good price.
Yeah Grass, think they’ll go for it. Watching Oddschecker though before I play, as I’d like a sign he’s running first.
Quite a nice win today for Goose Man at Navan in a 2m 4f h’cap hurdle, and
although it’s asking a lot to come back out in the same week and win a race like this,
but if he’s come out of the race in good enough condition then he might just have a
crack at this. He’s been aimed at some decent races recently, having taken on the Paddy
Power Chase at Leopardstown in December. We didn’t learn to much there as he went at
the first, but they must think highly enough of him.He would be carrying next to nothing
in this, and although it’s certainly speculative, at 40/1 I think it’s worth a few quid
in the hope he turns upI’m so out of touch with all things racing at the moment [new puppy/Brexit/stinking cold etc etc] but I think I might have a new favourite horse having never heard of Goose Man but loving the name…..
Quite like the look of mall dini at this stage but no play yet, assuming hes
Coming here?Invitation Only misses his engagement at Thurles today, and though he’s by no means guaranteed to trap here either, I did promise myself I’d have a fair swing at him if he got entered, so I’ve had a go.
As I’ve put the cash down, I might as well cover that 20’s on Up For Review as well.
Please let one of them go.
I won’t have any issues having a third string here, and still chewing over the others, and Alpha Des Obeaux, and Sumos Novios are now muddying the waters for me as well. Alpha in particular looks too big a price at 25’s.
Invitation Only 14’s Win
Up For Review 20’s EW@moe
I’m so out of touch with all things racing at the moment [new puppy/Brexit/stinking cold etc etc] but I think I might have a new favourite horse having never heard of Goose Man but loving the name…..Lol moe, he’ll become one of my favourites too if he bolts up in this. 40s is well gone, best price
now 25/1, and as low as 14/1 in a couple of places. Still not certain to make an appearance, but
I’m hopefulGeneral Principle 16s ew for me.
Hasn’t had his soft ground yet this season but looks like he might get it on Thursday.
This’ll be chock full of horses running solely to shave pounds off their marks in time for the Spring Festivals, so I’ll be acting with caution with regards to those in the top half of the handicap. Cynical? Yes. But that’s just the direction jump racing is going, particularly in Ireland.
Fitzhenry is bound to get his head in front again sooner rather than later and this looks another race to suit.
De Name Escapes Me has won off a higher hurdles mark recently and I’m willing to forgive his run over Christmas.
Given there is little rain about, the ground is already Yielding, i suspect this won’t suit the horses preferring softer stuff. So basically the same as the whole season so far!
I don’t think that will suit Invitation Only 10/1 near the top of the market + there are quite a few that it won’t suit either + probably won’t run.
The one that sticks out to me is Mr Diablo. Finished second to what looks a very well handicapped Tout Est Permis. Behind him that day was Magic of Light, who has went on to show some super form in England since then. He was 50/1 that day but that was mainly down to the fact he had been of for a season + didn’t show a lot on handicap hurdle reappearance. He has some nice back form, finishing 2nd the Avant Tout at the Punchestown festival + ahead of Lord Scoundrel, who then went onto win the Galway plate that summer….
His last run over fences reads well form-wise in this race. He was 5th by 10 Ls off his mark of 137. Solumn Grundy 129 + De Name Escapes Me 119- but in the Thyestes they are 7 and 13 pounds higher….
Personally think he’s a right good price at 20/1.
*Gowran have just given a going update
Gowran Park
@GowranPark1
1h1 hour agoAfter 8mm of rain ☔️ our going is Soft – yielding in places on both courses. Forecast mainly dry from today. First race is 12:45 Thursday.
If it softish, i would change my selection- i fancy Mr Diablo on the basis it’ll be better going.
Twitter: Jackh1092
Hindsight is 20/20 so make the most of it!Has Patrick Mullins had a fight with his dad or something?
They have 8 runners in this- 4 at 11st+- but Patrick is on Mall Dini 
I didn’t get myself in gear and missed the 20s for Up For Review so might just sit and watch. It’s a very nice field of staying chasers…probably all delighted to get the ground. I asked b365 for a Grand National price for UFR in advance of this; they’ve put him at 40s. I haven’t taken it (yet).
Dounikos 20/1
Beat Monbeg Notorious nicely on chase debut at this course last season and now gets 4lbs from that rival. Run a cracker at Leopardstown also in the Grade 1 thereafter.
Has been badly out of form so far since, hence the price, but he’s one for me that is well handicapped on the best of his form and if he can re-discover anywhere near the form of this time last season he’ll go close.Has Patrick Mullins had a fight with his dad or something?
They have 8 runners in this- 4 at 11st+- but Patrick is on Mall Dini Probably wanting to keep the ride on him for Cheltenham….
Twitter: Jackh1092
Hindsight is 20/20 so make the most of it!
They have 8 runners in this- 4 at 11st+- but Patrick is on Mall Dini 
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