Gowran Park action hinges on precautionary inspection

GOWRAN PARK have called a precautionary inspection for this morning (8am) ahead of tonight's meeting.

Although the track is raceable at present, the threat of further rain is causing some concern.

Cliff Noone, spokesman for the Irish Turf Club, said: "Due to the current weather conditions, they will hold a precautionary check.

"The track is currently raceable and the ground is soft, but we are seeing some heavy showers and prolonged periods of rain."

Meanwhile, John Quinn reports Blythe Knight to be on target for Sunday's Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown as he makes the trip across the Irish Sea for the first time.

The popular eight-year-old has been a credit to connections over the years, winning nearly £400,000 in prize-money and scoring on the level and over hurdles.

He was something of a disappointment in the York Stakes last time, but Quinn believes he was not at his best on the quick ground. "He seems in good form with himself at home and the plan is to run at Leopardstown on Sunday," said Quinn.

"Obviously he was disappointing last time but, to be honest, the ground was very quick at York and we shouldn't have run him. He hasn't been to Ireland before, but he went to France to finish third in a Group Two at Longchamp on Arc weekend so travelling isn't a problem."

There are 17 entries for Sunday's Group Three contest, with Psalm one of five possibles for Aidan O'Brien.

The Barry Hills-trained Captain Marvelous and Mark Johnston's Dubai's Touch could also make the journey from England, while other interesting possibles include Carribean Sunset and Red Eye Express.

Andrew Oliver has decided to supplement Beth for the Debutante Stakes on the same card following her victory at Sligo last week.

The Group Two contest is one of three races to be moved from last Sunday's abandoned Curragh meeting, meaning Oliver has been able to add his juvenile to the line-up for the Group Two contest.

Oliver admits the likes of Cuis Ghaire and Oui Say Oui will give his filly a stiff examination, but he believes it would be folly to dismiss her chances.

"She ran really well at Sligo last week and it wasn't just the result but also the style of how she won which pleased me," said the Tyrone handler.

"She jumped out, made all and was very professional, and I liked the way she came round the bend and just put her head down.

"I think there is good improvement in her from that run so that is why she is running.

"It is a hot race, but some of the faster horses like Cuis Ghaire have probably never run on ground as soft as this and I know my filly will handle it.

"If the ground is testing, that could just muddy the waters a bit."

David Simcock will decide later in the week whether to send Bushman for the Royal Whip Stakes at the Foxrock venue.

As well as the 10-furlong Group Two, Bushman will also be considered for the Strensall Stakes at York on Friday week.

"He's in the Royal Whip and he'll also hold an entry in the Strensall at York. We'll decided later on in the week," said the Newmarket handler.

"I'm absolutely delighted with him. We gave him a little break after his second in a Listed race at Sandown. He's come back and he's in excellent shape."

Simcock believes that the best has yet to be seen of the four-year-old gelding, acquired from Godolphin for 15,000 guineas and who only made his racecourse debut in March. "There's plenty of improvement in him, we think," he added.

Richard Hughes has been given the all-clear to partner Paco Boy for Richard Hannon in the Group One Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday.

The Irish-born jockey successfully applied to the British Horseracing Authority to change the dates of a two-day ban he picked up at Goodwood on August 2nd for careless riding on Full Toss.

• Yesterday's meeting at Newton Abbot was rained off.