19:45 Gowran Park (IRE) 09 Apr 2026
Gowranpark.ie Handicap
3YO plus
Winner €12,000 - 9 run
- Winner
- Top 3 Finish
- Top 2 Finish
- W/O Rock Of Ireland
- Insure 3 Places
- W/O Rock Of Ireland And Whimsy
- Insure 2 Places
- W/O
- W/O Granite Bay And Rock Of Ireland
- W/O Granite Bay
- W/O Whimsy
- Finish Exactly 2nd
- Finish Exactly 3rd
- Top 4 Finish
- Not To Win
Ran to form 13l third in a novice hurdle at Punchestown most recent run; off a short-break; effective 10f, acts with cut; ran well at Listed level in France on Flat; useful hurdler for this yard but bit more needed.
A winner at 1m on the all-weather, but that win was over two years ago. Finished 18l behind Bright Picture when fourth of 6 on his latest flat outing at Saint-Cloud over 1m 2f (heavy) in March '24.
Ran to form 13l third in a novice hurdle at Punchestown most recent run; off a short-break; effective 10f, acts with cut; ran well at Listed level in France on Flat; useful hurdler for this yard but bit more needed.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 3 | 1 | 1 | 33.3% | |
| Flat (Turf) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 50% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| G | Similar Going | 9 | 1 | 1 | 11.1% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 10 | 2 | 3 | 20% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Jamie Orr | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | W Durkan | 9 | 1 | 2 | 11.1% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Far too free up in trip on testing ground, didn't get home comfortably held in a handicap at Navan last time; effective 10-12f, acts on good and AW; handicapper relenting, veteran can go well if rain stays away.
Winner of seven races from 1m to 1m 4f on ground varying from good to firm to heavy. Finished 11l behind Mordor when sixth of 11 at 40-1 on his latest outing at Navan over 1m 6f (heavy) last month.
Far too free up in trip on testing ground, didn't get home comfortably held in a handicap at Navan last time; effective 10-12f, acts on good and AW; handicapper relenting, veteran can go well if rain stays away.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 59 | 8 | 10 | 13.6% | |
| Flat (Turf) | 42 | 7 | 4 | 16.7% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| D | Distance | 13 | 2 | 3 | 15.4% |
| G | Similar Going | 25 | 3 | 2 | 12% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (V only) | 52 | 7 | 9 | 13.5% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Hcp | This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 34 | 2 | 4 | 5.9% |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Adam Caffrey | 20 | 3 | 3 | 15% |
| T | A McGuinness | 65 | 8 | 11 | 12.3% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Ran to form beaten a length off a 1lb lower mark at Galway last time; effective 12-14f, acts on good or softer, probably best with give; form franked, consistent.
He has won three times from 1m 2f to 1m 6f on good and yielding ground. Beaten 1l by Slurricane when second of 16 at 4-1 on his latest outing at Galway over 1m 4f (heavy) in October last year.
Ran to form beaten a length off a 1lb lower mark at Galway last time; effective 12-14f, acts on good or softer, probably best with give; form franked, consistent.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 13 | 3 | 5 | 23.1% | |
| Flat (Turf) | 13 | 3 | 5 | 23.1% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| D | Distance | 4 | 1 | 2 | 25% |
| G | Similar Going | 10 | 1 | 5 | 10% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 13 | 3 | 5 | 23.1% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Ronan Whelan | 11 | 3 | 5 | 27.3% |
| T | J P Fahey | 13 | 3 | 5 | 23.1% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Did it readily, well handicapped, improved in first-time cheekpieces landing a handicap by 3l off a 9lb lower mark at The Curragh last time; effective 12-14f, acts on yielding, good; hugely progressive in both codes last year, big player if fit.
Successful twice at 1m 6f on good ground. A winner at 5-1 at Curragh over 1m 6f (good) on his latest outing in May last year, beating La Vita Nova by 3l.
Did it readily, well handicapped, improved in first-time cheekpieces landing a handicap by 3l off a 9lb lower mark at The Curragh last time; effective 12-14f, acts on yielding, good; hugely progressive in both codes last year, big player if fit.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 9 | 2 | 3 | 22.2% | |
| Flat (Turf) | 9 | 2 | 3 | 22.2% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| D | Distance | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| G | Similar Going | 8 | 1 | 1 | 12.5% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (T only) | 9 | 2 | 3 | 22.2% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Gary Carroll | 8 | 2 | 3 | 25% |
| T | G P Cromwell | 15 | 3 | 5 | 20% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Never involved down the field in a handicap at Galway most recent; top course trainer; effective 12f on good, unproven with cut; must bounce back down in grade.
A winner at 1m 4f on good ground. Beaten 20l behind Slurricane at 6-1 when 10th of 16 on her latest outing at Galway over 1m 4f (heavy) in October last year.
Never involved down the field in a handicap at Galway most recent; top course trainer; effective 12f on good, unproven with cut; must bounce back down in grade.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 8 | 1 | 0 | 12.5% | |
| Flat (Turf) | 5 | 1 | 0 | 20% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 4 | 1 | 0 | 25% |
| Similar Going | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (T only) | 8 | 1 | 0 | 12.5% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | J M Sheridan | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | J P O'Brien | 8 | 1 | 0 | 12.5% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Never dangerous down the field in a handicap at Leopardstown most recent; acts on good, soft, good to firm; consistent until latest, vulnerable to improver.
Successful at 1m 2f and 1m 4f on yielding and yielding - soft ground, but last win was over three years ago. Well beaten at 6-1 behind Blake when 13th of 16 on his latest outing at Leopardstown over 1m 4f (heavy) in October last year.
Never dangerous down the field in a handicap at Leopardstown most recent; acts on good, soft, good to firm; consistent until latest, vulnerable to improver.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 29 | 2 | 11 | 6.9% | |
| Flat (Turf) | 29 | 2 | 11 | 6.9% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 8 | 1 | 3 | 12.5% |
| G | Similar Going | 17 | 3 | 6 | 17.7% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 16 | 1 | 7 | 6.3% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Hcp | This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 15 | 1 | 4 | 6.7% |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Colin Keane | 11 | 0 | 8 | 0% |
| T | N Meade | 34 | 3 | 12 | 8.8% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Fell in a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown latest when beaten; consistent in both codes; effective 12f, gets further, acts on soft, good; unlucky off 2lb higher on last Flat run; has fitness edge; big chance.
She has won three times from 1m 2f to 1m 6f on ground varying from firm to soft. Third of 18 behind Leinster beaten 2 3/4l at 5-1 on her latest flat outing at Curragh over 1m 4f (soft) in March last year.
Fell in a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown latest when beaten; consistent in both codes; effective 12f, gets further, acts on soft, good; unlucky off 2lb higher on last Flat run; has fitness edge; big chance.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 22 | 3 | 9 | 13.6% | |
| Flat (Turf) | 15 | 3 | 7 | 20% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| C | Course | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50% |
| D | Distance | 11 | 1 | 5 | 9.1% |
| G | Similar Going | 25 | 2 | 13 | 8% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (P only) | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Hcp | This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0% |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Patrick McGettigan | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | A McCann | 27 | 2 | 14 | 7.4% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Fine ride getting first run on runner up, appreciated stiff test landing a handicap by 1 1/4l off a 8lb lower mark at The Curragh last time; effective 12-14f on good, soft; remains on fair mark, could build on breakthrough win.
A winner at 7-1 at Curragh over 1m 4f (soft - heavy) on his latest outing last month, beating Factual Fact by 1 1/4l.
Fine ride getting first run on runner up, appreciated stiff test landing a handicap by 1 1/4l off a 8lb lower mark at The Curragh last time; effective 12-14f on good, soft; remains on fair mark, could build on breakthrough win.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 16 | 1 | 3 | 6.3% | |
| Flat (Turf) | 13 | 1 | 3 | 7.7% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 6 | 1 | 1 | 16.7% |
| G | Similar Going | 8 | 1 | 3 | 12.5% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 12 | 1 | 2 | 8.3% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Hcp | This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Luke McAteer | 9 | 1 | 2 | 11.1% |
| T | Rory Anthony Devine | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Pulled up in a handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse latest; effective 12f, acts on good; Flat winner; returning from a break; mark looks stiff.
Placed once in four starts. Beaten 6l behind Chess at 18-1 when seventh of 8 on his latest flat outing at Chantilly over 2m in October '24. He is wearing a tongue-tie for the first time.
Pulled up in a handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse latest; effective 12f, acts on good; Flat winner; returning from a break; mark looks stiff.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0% | |
| Flat (Turf) | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Similar Going | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (T only) | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Rory Cleary | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | A J Martin | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Verdict
A good winner on his return at the Curragh last month, ROCK OF IRELAND might be able to follow up. On what was his first start for Rory Devine, the Rock Of Gibraltar five-year-old won with a bit in hand at the Kildare venue and, while given an 8lb rise, he still looks nicely treated off a mark of 74. Whimsy has three wins on the level to her name and it'll be disappointing if she's not involved towards the business end here, with Patrick McGettigan claiming a valuable 5lb. A comfortable winner at the Curragh last May, Robbies Rock warrants the utmost respect on his return.
Expert View Verdict
The Anthony McCann yard has been flying recently and can gain another success with WHIMSY who has proven admirably consistent in both codes. She has a fitness edge over many of these rivals and looked a slightly unlucky loser off 2lb higher on her last Flat run. Granite Bay ran well on his reappearance last year and continued his progression throughout the season. The cut in the ground will suit on his return and he looks a big danger along with Rock Of Ireland who surely has more to offer after registering his breakthrough victory last time.
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