1:55 Gowran Park Tips

Aiden O'Brien has Jack Cleary in the saddle, who takes five pounds off this colt, who is by Wootton Bassett. The view is to see him having his mount in a prominent position for a debut big run, possibly going to the line with Seoul Force, another Wootton Bassett colt.

Trainer JP O'Brien has saddled the winner of this race three times in the last eight years. His runners are in good current form. Sired by Wootton Bassett and the dam won at 12 furlongs. Has had two runs. Sixth on debut at Navan over six furlongs on soft, and then finished fourth on latest outing. That came over 7 furlongs at Leopardstown. Holds an entry for the Two Year Old Trophy at Redcar, a Class One Listed event in October.

Seoul Force is a 2yo colt trained by Mrs. John Harrington and is sired by the useful Wootton Bassett (GB) and out of an unraced dam related to five individual winners, three of which posted career-high RPR of 100-105-109. So, a useful pedigree. He is owned by Zhang Yuesheng, who has had 19/92 wins with 2yo in the last five years, so clearly his agents have a good eye for talent. Seoul Force could be primed and ready on debut.

Well-bred Space Blues colt from a top stable with a strong record in this race. Half-brother to Lady Pagasa, a useful 8f performer. Trainer has won twice in the last five renewals here, so the colt could run a solid race. Not the obvious stable first string but still merits respect on debut here at a bigger price.

I tipped this LTO on its second run and thought it might do better than debut because of the claimer being used, who had had a big-priced winner and place for this trainer, but came 9th/10 by some distance. Looking at the race, it was traveling well for some time, but when they all kicked for home, there was nothing from the jockey. They just carried on at the same pace. That was up in distance from the debut, 7f from 5f, and I'm not sure whether they are just waiting for a lower mark, or 7f is the wrong distance. But the claimer is riding again today, so I must follow up my hunch and have another small EW. Interested to see how it runs and what race it's entered in next.