Gowran Park - Saturday 19th September 2026
GREYDREAMBELIEVER has solid claims of ending a losing spell. This looks a much easier task than her recent assignments and, though narrowly beaten by today's rival Rion Rubette over C&D on a couple of occasions earlier in the year, Joseph O'Brien's Dark Angel filly reopposes on more favourable terms. The latter may well be in the mix once again, but City House has been contesting hot handicaps this summer and rates a bigger threat at this level.
Disappointing last time, NEVERMINDTHERAIN drops back into maiden company. The half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Puerto Rico, she finished a creditable third in a Group 3 over 7f at Cork back in July and Aidan O'Brien's charge could prove hard to beat over this longer trip if back on song. Stablemate Hereafter is one to monitor on her introduction, while Castilian Queen was well held but nonetheless shaped nicely at Cork on debut. Isle Of Capri has proven ability and could also figure.
ALBANY COUNTY has shown plenty of ability. An eye-catching fourth at the Curragh on debut, she was no match for stablemate and subsequent Group 1 winner Darkness Falls when second at the same venue last time, but meets nothing of that calibre in this and can open her account. Breath Of Paradise could be thereabouts having finished narrowly ahead of the selection when third at the Curragh, while Mount Meru is a half-brother to a winner and is a newcomer to note, along with Pirate Of Penzance.
FAIYUM has been a beaten favourite in her three runs this year but will be suited by easing ground and won this race last year. A smart performer who finished narrowly behind subsequent Group 1-winner Barnavara in June 2025 and, if reproducing that level of form, she will prove tough to beat. Sindria was only one placed behind the selection at the Curragh last month and commands respect. Star Performer easily defeated both Hollys Graces and Classiest to win a C&D Listed race last month, but faces tougher opponents now. Caught U Sleeping would prefer good ground and is tried in first-time cheekpieces.
It is hoped COLPE CROSS will improve from her recent reappearance run because she had previously shown nice ability and now contests an ordinary maiden. Godolphin-bred and a granddaughter of French Oaks winner West Wind, the selection has clearly had her training issues, but the five-year-old shaped as though she would benefit from her recent Navan outing. Dubawi-sired Big Cypress was gelded after finishing fifth at Fairyhouse in June and is respected on his return. Sherekiya and Suir Monad are others to consider.
MAKE THE TIDE has taken a few months to show worthwhile form, but has turned the tide in recent outings and being a lightly-raced three-year-old, can continue to progress. She was well supported when scoring readily at Navan and while beaten under a 7lb fixed penalty three days later, that race is already working out very well. Sunrise Angel has been raised 9lb for his recent ready success at Cork, but is also a progressive three-year-old. Hassaniya finished second off this mark at Punchestown just four days ago, while Maeve Brennan, Moyassr and Cladach each have solid recent form.
REPONSE FINALE is busier than most and can continue her excellent recent form. Gavin Cromwell's filly won twice and finished runner-up once in just a four-day period in August and only found one too good over 1m2f at Clonmel last Wednesday. She goes off an unchanged mark and looks the way to go. Chipsrdown hasn't raced since winning in June and is just 3lb higher today, so she needs to be taken seriously. Selective Power wasn't beaten far into fourth over C&D at the start of the month and is another to note.
GREYDREAMBELIEVER was out of her depth but ran roughly to form in a Group 3 at Cork last time and, with Joseph O'Brien's yard having a strong record at this track, she can go well in these calmer waters seeking a first win since leaving Karl Burke. Rion Rubette has been progressive in handicaps and, having been beaten six lengths in a Listed race over a mile at Killarney last time, can be competitive back in class and over 7f, with two C&D wins to her name already this term. City House has been in fair form and often runs better than the bare result suggests, so he can go well again.
NEVERMINDTHERAIN was below form when hampered and tailed off in a Listed race at Cork last time but had been in good form beforehand, including a close third in a Group 3 at Leopardstown, and is surely capable of better. With Ballydoyle having won this twice recently, she can open her account for her top connections. Castilian Queen stayed on late but was no match for the leaders when fourth over 7f at Cork on debut and, as a well-bred Frankel filly for Juddmonte, can improve stepping up in trip for Ger Lyons, who also has a good record in this contest. Isle Of Capri improved from debut having finished third at Leopardstown last time, and can progress further over this longer trip.
ALBANY COUNTY confirmed his debut promise when runner-up at the Curragh last time and, with Ballydoyle having won the last two runnings of this race, he has a big chance to open his account for his top connections. Breath Of Paradise showed major improvement for Jessica Harrington when third stepping up to 9f at the Curragh last time and, despite dropping back in distance, remains open to further progress. Pirate Of Penzance is a well-bred Camelot colt who is a half-brother to several winners and is another Ballydoyle representative, so he is capable of knowing his job on debut.
FAIYUM won this race last year, but is yet to get off the mark for this campaign and was a little too enthusiastic when going too fast in front at the Curragh last time when a distant runner-up in the Group 3 Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes. If allowed to dictate in her usual style, she can get back to winning ways and defend her crown here. Star Performer improved markedly when landing a Listed race over C&D by four and a half lengths last time and, with further progress likely, can step up again in grade for Joseph O'Brien. Sindria, another for the in-form Joseph O'Brien, was third in the Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes last time and, having looked to want further, can go well again over this extended trip, having won a C&D Listed contest earlier this season.
SUIR MONAD was below form when fourth on handicap debut at Galway last time but had been consistent in maidens beforehand and can bounce back returned to this company over a slightly longer trip than he's tried thus far. Ryefield Dasher led inside the final furlong before being headed late and finishing third at Roscommon last time and, back in a maiden and over this shorter trip, can have a say in a bid to open his account. Colpe Cross had been steadily progressive in maidens over middle distances before finishing well held over an inadequate trip when dropped to a mile at Navan last time and, with this step back up in distance likely to suit, can bounce back.
CLADACH ran to the balance of his overall profile when runner-up by roughly three lengths over an extended 8f at Galway last time and should have more to come now stepping up another furlong, so he can go well as he seeks a first success for Joseph O'Brien. Chirac has been generally consistent since going handicapping, including a course success over 7f in the spring, and was better than the bare result when beaten three lengths at Killarney last time. Despite becoming somewhat expensive to follow as a beaten favourite his last four outings, he can go well making this up in trip. Cosmic Funk was short of room when staying on over a mile at this track last time and, on a competitive mark, can go close again up in distance.
CHIPSRDOWN returned to form when opening her account over an extended 9f at Leopardstown last time and, despite a 3lb rise, can go well again back at a mile. Real Petite was closer to her best when beaten three and a half lengths here last time and, back on her last winning mark, has a good chance at this level. Sunday Sovereign is another who returned to form when beaten two lengths at Roscommon last time and, on a dangerous mark, can go well again if building on that effort stepped back up to a mile.
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