They race in Kilkenny on Friday, and our experts have picked through the form book to try and find you some winners at Gowran Park.
Gowran Park Tips – Friday, August 7
- 17:05 Rock Iguana
- 17:35 Mallavelly
- 18:10 Alfred Tennyson
- 18:45 Sunrise Angel
- 19:20 City Of Dubai
- 19:55 Celtic Motif
- 20:30 Vervain (E/W)
17:05 7f Optional Claiming Race (3yo+)
Denis Hogan often targets these claiming races, and he could land this one with the British recruit to his stable, Rock Iguana. Formerly trained by Ralph Beckett and Kevin Philippart De Foy in the UK, the gelding won a Southwell maiden last year before going on to be second to a now 90-rated rival at Kempton.
If able to get back to that level on form on Irish debut, Rock Iguana could get off to a winning start under 7lb claimer Alan Casey.
Selection: Rock Iguana
17:35 7f Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap (3yo+)
Joseph O’Brien’s two runners are both interesting for different reasons. Stugardia makes her Irish debut having placed in three listed races in Germany, but Greydreambeliever looks to be the yard’s first string with Dylan Browne McMonagle booked. The filly ran in a listed race at Galway last week and goes back into a handicap at a course where she went close in June.
However, this handicap may once again go the way of Mallavelly. Last year’s winner (the race took place at Tipperary) is just 2lb higher now and arrives after two solid runs at the Curragh. Colin Keane rides for Ger Lyons.
Selection: Mallavelly
18:10 7f Edward Doran’s Birthday Handicap (3yo+)
Alfred Tennyson returned to form when dropped into this grade at Galway last time, finishing a close third, beaten just 2l off a 1lb lower mark. The ex-Ballydoyle runner is effective over 6f and 7f, handles yielding, good and all-weather surfaces, and looks capable of going close again as he bids to end his lengthy losing streak. Once rated in the high 80’s, he races off 76 here.
Selection: Alfred Tennyson
18:45 7f Handicap (3yo 0-60)
Sunrise Angel took a step back in the right direction when beaten 5l in a handicap at Killarney last time, showing more than on his first two starts of the season. His yard won this race 12 months ago, and while a wide draw is far from ideal, he’s effective over 6f and 7f, handles cut in the ground as well as good and all-weather surfaces, and could have more to offer if building on that latest effort. Beaten a neck off 63 at the Curragh in September, he could be well treated off a mark of 57.
Selection: Sunrise Angel
19:20 1m Coolmore Stud Churchill Stakes (Listed Race) (Registered as the El Gran Senor Stakes) (2yo)
City Of Dubai made the perfect start to his career when landing a Killarney maiden on debut last month and looks capable of following up for the Paddy Twomey yard. The Mehmas colt showed plenty of promise to score by half a length over 1m on good ground, and with the stable’s runners often improving for their first outing, he could take another step forward here. Already entered in Group races later this season, the half-brother to multiple winner Slieve Bearnagh looks a smart prospect capable of maintaining his unbeaten record.
Selection: City Of Dubai
19:55 1m Race (3yo+)
A race for 3yo+ which, since 1st August, 2025, and at declaration, have not won a Listed Race or finished first, second or third in a Group race.
Celtic Motif impressed when bolting up by 6l in a Killarney maiden last time and remains open to plenty of improvement for Joseph O’Brien. The form of that race has been boosted by the runner-up winning at Sligo since, while he is effective over 7f and 1m and handles both soft and firm ground. A consistent performer in his short career, he should come on for that latest effort and is not ruled out despite this step back up in class.
Selection: Celtic Motif
20:30 1m4f Ladies Handicap
A winner on his last two starts, Numida bids for a hat-trick but this will be a tough test given the gelding has never scored off this kind of mark. He’s gone up 14lb since the first of his two wins, so may be opposed.
Lightly raced handicap debutant Forthill commands respect for Paddy Twomey and could have a big say if reproducing her promising third at the Curragh last November. The four-year-old filly has plenty of scope for improvement and enters handicapping for the first time off a potentially workable mark. Ms Messi, who won this race when it was staged at Tipperary last season, also merits consideration despite returning from a long absence and should not be discounted on her reappearance.
However, the vote goes the way of Vervain. The David Harry Kelly-trained filly returned to form when finishing second at Killarney last time, beaten just 2l off this mark, and remains on a competitive rating. Effective over 10f to 12f and proven on good ground, she is still 2lb below her last winning mark and can go well again in a competitive closing contest.
Selection: Vervain (E/W)
Gowran Park Tips – Friday, August 7
- 17:05 Rock Iguana
- 17:35 Mallavelly
- 18:10 Alfred Tennyson
- 18:45 Sunrise Angel
- 19:20 City Of Dubai
- 19:55 Celtic Motif
- 20:30 Vervain (E/W)
