A JACKPOT carry over of over £15,000 is a significant boost for what is a fairly ordinary card at Gowran Park today, and the good news for those who cannot make it to the Kilkenny track is that SIS will be transmitting live pictures to the betting shops.
Jim Bolgers stable has made an excellent start to the season and its Sublime Beauty might be the one to be on in the opening leg of the Jackpot, the Young Irelands Race.
On the face of it, one win in five starts as a juvenile is nothing out of the ordinary, but this Caerleon filly also came out on the wrong side in two photo finishes, including a head defeat by the useful Casey Tibbs in a Listowel nursery in September.
A winner over a mile at the Curragh, Sublime Beauty should see out this 10 furlongs and she is taken to beat Kris Green, who put up a fine performance to come from seventh place a furlong out to beat Lil's Boy by two lengths at Leopardstown in September.
Bolger could also supply the winner of the second leg, the Thomastown Maiden Hurdle, in Mendeluci. The five year old did not have a clear run two out when fourth to Moral Support at Tipperary and can improve sufficiently to beat the younger Sharp Outlook, who ran extremely well when third to Persian Dream at Thurles.
In the third leg, the Kilkenny Handicap Hurdle, Eton Gale will have his supporters, although he dropped out tamely after a mistake four out when favourite at Fairyhouse last week. Preference is for the top weight Home Port, who won with something in hand when beating Ciara's Prince at Limerick last month. Another with a chance here is Tarajan, who disappointed last time.
The final leg is left to Sarah Supreme, who attempted to make all the running at Clonmel and was caught only in the final strides by the point to point winner Dynamic Design. The obvious danger is Applause, a good fourth to Feathered Leader at Fairyhouse.
Alparost may initiate a treble for the Bolger stable by taking the opening race on the card, the Gowran Maiden. Well beaten by an Oxx debutant in Somerton Reef at Tipperary, the main threat to him may be provided by another newcomer from the same source, Medal Of Honour.
Christy Roche has had a fine season over jumps in his new role as a trainer and Bicycle Thief may give him his first winner on the Flat by taking the Bennettsbridge Handicap.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)