GOWRAN PARK PREVIEW:THE WEEKEND action in Ireland sees a comparative lull before the Cheltenham storm, but this afternoon's Gowran Park feature can still prove to be a significant date for Kranji.
Arthur Moore’s 10-year-old returned to action at Leopardstown over Christmas and was quietly fancied to overcome the fact he hadn’t run in two years in a race ultimately won by Show Blessed.
Not surprisingly, on the back of a long absence, Kranji raced keenly that day but still managed to lead until the straight when a bad mistake at the last dropped him right out. Today’s two miles in the €40,000 handicap chase is ideal for the Tony O’Reilly-owned horse, and he is reunited with “Slippers” Madden off an attractively low weight, with Perce Rock and Dooneys Gate also lining up.
Dooneys Gate looks a danger, having been still going well when crashing out at the fourth-last in a Thurles race won by Let Yourself Go.
It’s more than two years since Concrete And Clay last ran over flights, but Charles O’Brien’s dual-purpose horse can make a winning return in the handicap hurdle.
Concrete And Clay won the third of his hurdles starts at Thurles in early 2008 in good style, and Paul Townend’s booking for today’s task looks significant.
The smart bumper horse Better Times came up against a potential good one in Flat Out at Punchestown last time and can break his jumping duck in the second maiden hurdle, while course and distance runner-up Ambitious Fan can go one better in the first.
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