Racecards
14:55 Gowran Park (IRE)
Thomastown Handicap
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 1m 1f 110y
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- €16,000 added
- Winner: €9,840
- 2nd: €3,040
- 3rd: €1,440
- 4th: €641
- Form 16-
- Age 3
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 89
- Trainer W McCreery
- Jockey W J Lee
held up in 5th, headway into 3rd 3f out, soon ridden, weakened under 2f out, eased final furlong
- Form 821-3
- Age 3
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 86
- Trainer J P Murtagh
- Jockey Colin Keane
chased leaders, pushed along in 3rd entering straight, disputed lead briefly under 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
- Form 243-9
- Age 3
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 84
- Trainer D Wachman
- Jockey Wayne Lordan
chased leaders, progress to dispute lead 5f out, ridden entering straight, headed under 2f out, no impression final furlong
- Form 85519-1
- Age 3
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 73
- Trainer K J Condon
- Jockey S Foley
dwelt and held up in rear, pushed along on outer entering straight, went 4th 2f out, ridden in closer 4th 1 1/2f out, progress to lead under 1f out, stayed on well under pressure close home
- Form 222590-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer J S Bolger
- Jockey K J Manning
led, took keen hold early, joined 5f out, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong
- Form 6980-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-5
- Official Rating 70
chased leaders, took keen hold early, progress entering straight, disputed lead under 2f out, soon ridden, headed under 1f out, kept on under pressure in 2nd close home
In depth
Verdict
NIVEN makes a quick reappearance under a penalty after a comfortable victory over 7f at Limerick on Thursday, where he obviously enjoyed the testing conditions. He can go in again over this longer trip though Newsman looks a tough opponent. Johnny Murtagh's charge, a winner on good going here in September, started favourite on his return at the Curragh and though running well found 7f too short so this looks his trip. Alaskan Son was beaten a long way in that latter event but Bridgets Fable, who made a successful debut at Tipperary, was by no means disgraced when sent into Listed company at the Curragh on her only subsequent start. Brontide started off well on faster going but has been well beaten in two runs in softer conditions while Burma Star showed only moderate form in her first campaign but looks the type to do better this term.
Formwatch
Bridgets Fable (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Dwelt, raced in rear, 9th halfway, driven under 3f out, ridden under 2f out, kept on final furlong to 6th, no impression, 6th of 9, 10l behind Kind Of Magic (9-0) at Curragh 1m lst fll stks (1) Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Newsman (IRE) 4-1fav (8-13) Towards rear, 10th halfway, pushed along and some progress 2f out, 6th 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Awtaad (9-10) at Curragh 7f hcp Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Alaskan Son (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and dropped towards rear 2f out, no extra, 9th of 11, 18 1/4l behind Awtaad (9-10) at Curragh 7f hcp Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Niven (IRE) 5-1 (9-13) Mid-division, 8th on outer halfway, progress 2f out and ridden to go 2nd over 1f out, led over 100 yards out, kept on well, won at Limerick 7f hcp hvy in Apr beating Charlies Missile (9-7) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Brontide (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, dropped to rear and no extra early straight, eased over 2f out, tailed off, last of 10, dist behind Verbosity (9-3) at Cork 1m hcp Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Burma Star 14-1 (9-9) Soon towards rear, took keen hold, 12th halfway, raced on outer straight, no impression and kept on from over 1f out, 12th of 16, 6 1/4l behind Jaqen H'ghar (9-13) at Leopardstown 1m hcp gd in Oct.