15:25 Gowran Park

Wednesday 11 October 2017

All13:5014:2014:5515:2515:5516:3017:0017:30

Gowran Park Racing Club Nursery Handicap (Plus 10)

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 1m 39.01s

(4)

Air Of Nobility⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-10| J: S Foley| T: K H Clarke| OR: 67

6/1

Posted a most encouraging effort at Down Royal on her penultimate start but reverted to type at Naas latest. That run blotted her copybook but this is a modest contest, so she could feasibly bounce back in this company.

Form: 7029

(2)

Marmalade N Toast¹⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-9| J: Gary Halpin⁽³⁾| T: P J Flynn| OR: 66

20/1

Didn't trouble the judge in any of her previous starts in maidens and a nursery last time out. Likeable breeding but her €30,000 purchase tag is starting to look expensive judging by the lack of achievement so far.

Form: 0079

(5)

Devastating Power^t1¹⁰²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Ronan Whelan| T: B W Duke| OR: 64

12/1

Connections flying high in a Group 2 last time but the result and margin of defeat tells all. This is more his grade but his two previous starts in maidens were little better and hard to see the fitting of a tongue tie prompting a revival.

Form: 898

(10)

Downtown Diva^h,t1⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-4| J: O J Orr⁽³⁾| T: J Davison| OR: 61

7/1

Never on terms on the AW last time and is better judged by previous efforts on turf. Has gone well at a similar level already and, with a skillful claimer taking 3lb off her back, the filly makes plenty of appeal in a weak race.

Form: 48648

(6)

Ellona⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: P J Smullen| T: P D Deegan| OR: 60

5/1

Comes into this after a very busy juvenile season. This will be her ninth outing but the penny seems to be dropping and, assuming she handles the ground, she could easily make the frame if running to the same level of her last two starts.

Form: 838033

(7)

Amor Fati³⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J M Oxx| OR: 58

6/1

Three starts in maiden company were only ordinary - although did improve on heavy over C&D latest. More required here and yard highly respected.; but is yet to start at odds below 50/1 and looks a risky option when all things are considered.

Form: 006

(3)

Mojambo⁴²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 58

4/1

Not achieved much in three maidens and this Zoffany filly, who cost connections £35,000, is in danger of becoming frustrating. May do better when upped in trip next year. At least qualifies for a mark after this.

Form: 896

(12)

Haunting Vocals⁴¹

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 54

9/1

Likeable pedigree but not much sign of encouragement in three starts in maidens. Much more required here. Untried on heavy ground, so also a bit to prove on that score.

Form: 700

(1)

Rockfish¹⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: Wayne Lordan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 54

9/1

Not beaten many horses home in three starts in maidens and impossible to make a strong case out for him on that evidence. Looks a lesser light at his emerging yard.

Form: 077

(8)

Footstepsintime⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 8-10| J: Chris Hayes| T: J F Levins| OR: 53

20/1

Has a bit to prove after handicap debut at Naas and poor form shown in three previous maidens. Others more appealing.

Form: 9080

(11)

Taylor Velvet⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 8-10| J: Rory Cleary| T: T Cleary| OR: 53

16/1

Ahead of Footstepsintime at Naas latest but that's just ordinary form. Previously last of five at Listowel on heavy was disappointing and the fact she's never started a race at odd below 33/1 tells a lot about expectations. Similar expected here

Form: 474458

(9)

Gillabbey Rock³²

Age: 2| Weight: 8-6| J: K J Leonard⁽⁵⁾| T: E O'Connell| OR: 49

25/1

Poor form figures so far and highly surprising if this €1,000 purchase is good enough to even make the frame.

Form: 000

Forecasts

Mojambo (4/1), Ellona (5/1), Amor Fati (6/1), Air Of Nobility (6/1), Downtown Diva (7/1), Haunting Vocals (9/1), Rockfish (9/1), Devastating Power (12/1), Taylor Velvet (16/1), Footstepsintime (20/1), Marmalade N Toast (20/1), Gillabbey Rock (25/1)

Not the strongest nursery ever to take place at this course but one that may be within the reach of DOWNTOWN DIVA, who sports a tongue tie for the first time and may just enough in the locker to see off the threats posed by Ellona and Air Of Nobility, who make the most appeal from a modest bunch if rivals.