7.30pm Gowran Park Tips & Betting Preview 04/07/2017

A field of six go to post for this Median Auction Race at Gowran on Tuesday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: An intriguing race where it should pay to side with BRANCH LINE. The selection is well clear on ratings and looks a cut above the opponents here; he could be using this as a stepping stone for something at the Galway festival. He has kept some very smart company and deserves a follow up win in the hands of Killian Leonard who won on him last time out. Elegant Pose can chase the selection home given how much improvement we can expect on her already impressive debut win.

1 BRANCH LINE – A full 9lbs clear of his nearest challenger Gustavus Vassa (86) but only concedes 3lbs due to the conditions of the race and, with Killian Leonard’s claim negating that, he effectively receives 2lbs from that rival & Slaney Street. A likeable sort who is not only consistent but has some smart form. The Rip Van Winkle gelding won on debut which is not typical of a Slattery horse. His second run was at listed level where he was beaten by Irish Derby hero Capri. Nearly all of that field have run with credit, both winning and being placed at Listed & Group level. He also ran in behind Irishcorrespondent who was highly tried in the Irish Classics this season. Beat a good yard-stick in Ma Fee Heela last time out and is the one to beat.

2 GUSTAVUS VASSA – A winner on debut for Andy Oliver and Chris Hayes, that form looks potentially smart, with the runner-up having the benefit of experience and being highly tried, including in Grade 1 company over hurdles and finished a respectable second to Act Of Valour when back on the level. Although he was receiving the best part of a stone (12lbs) from the runner-up on debut, he still firmly falls in the could-be-anything bracket for Chris Hayes whose rides over the last two weeks would yield a healthy profit of +30.75.

3 SLANEY STREET – Looks a better horse for the gelding operation. Has run well in defeat on three occasions since that operation, finishing behind some decent horses such as Auckland (Aidan O’Brien) and Veneer Of Charm (Michael O’Callaghan). Ran a good race behind the very well backed Zeftan (our 20/1 Early Value Tip on the day) last time out, the winner came out and franked that form going close on Sunday. Banging on the door, but would receive 18lbs from Branch Line in a handicap so may have to wait for another day.

4 ELEGANT POSE – An impressive winner on debut for Ger Lyons and Colin Keane last month, showing a very nice turn-of-foot that day. Comes from a family the trainer knows very well, being a half-sister to eight winners, including Brendan Brackan (an eight-time winner for the stable) and Buy Back Bob. The form of that debut race is extremely questionable however, with the second and third finishing closer to last than first next time out. Breeze who was fourth that day has also struggled to uphold his form having run second on two occasions behind two O’Brien inmates, including one who was quite far behind in Elegant Pose’s maiden. Another who could be anything for a top yard, market will be informative.

5 FURIOSA – One of the more exposed runners in the field. But she does have a win to her name and was aimed highly last time out, finishing sixth of ten in the Naas Oaks Trial. Definitely not the strongest trial we will see, but does give us some handy form-lines, with Elizabeth Browning third that day, five lengths in-front of Furiosa. She ran in the same race as Branch Line and Capri and finished stone last. Obviously in decent form before that to warrant the step-up in class and now back in calmer waters so can be expected to do better.

6 HEADFULLOFATTITUDE – 50/1 and 66/1 respectively on her first two starts beaten an aggregate of 50 lengths. The Seamie Heffernan booking does catch the eye, as does the step-up in trip, but those factors combined would need to perform a minor miracle to improve this filly to a sufficient standard to be competitive here.