Saturday Irish racing tips

Gowran Park takes centre stage in Ireland on Saturday with a seven-race card that features two maiden hurdles, three handicaps, a hunter chase and a bumper.

The action kicks off at 2:10 and runs through to the finale at 5:35 and we have provided selections and analysis for three of the races on Saturday's card.

Selections

2.10 Gowran Park - Grimaud

Jack Kennedy hit the frame on his first three starts since returning from a seventh leg break but he can warm up for next week's Cheltenham Festival in style with a win on GRIMAUD in the opening 2m maiden hurdle.

The dual Flat winner in France hit the frame in a trio of decent maidens so far for trainer Gordon Elliott, and might have won over 2m4f at Fairyhouse last time but for a terrible blunder at the final flight when second to Fishery Lane.

Grimaud will need to improve in the jumping department dropping back in trip but he sets a high bar in the context of this race and the 123-rated hurdler should gain his first win on Irish shores. Elliott has also won the last two runnings of this contest.

3.50 Gowran Park - Knockbrack Rambler

A field of 20 are set to lock horns in the 2m4f handicap hurdle and a case can be made for pretty much half of the field. Top weight Iamgetaway will be a big danger to all if he can handle the ground, while Kingkong Ciergues will win a race soon from his current mark.

The selection is KNOCKBRACK RAMBLER however, as Brendan Walsh's gelding might have what it takes to follow up his 2m3f win at Limerick in December.

He plugged on well after the last to win by a length but had plenty more under the bonnet.

The third, Duffys Hodey, has since gone on to land a pair of handicaps and went close to defying a mark of 111 when last seen, so the pick here still looks nicely treated running off 102 with a good 7lb claimer booked for the ride.

5.35 Gowran Park - Ksar Fatal

The closing bumper might look like a run of the mill event at first glance but it has usually turned out to be a very informative race as classy types such as First Lieutenant, Yorkhill, Minella Melody, Bob Olinger, Journey With Me and Tullyhill have won the contest.

Willie Mullins has a phenomenal strike-rate in bumpers and KSAR FATAL might be up to the job. The £32,000 purchase was by no means the most expensive buy in the lineup, but his point-to-point form has worked out very well.

The son of Buck's Boum easily won at Curraghmore in October and the runner-up Cardcounter, who is now with Gordon Elliott, won a Punchestown maiden hurdle in style when last seen. Patrick Mullins has also ridden six of the last seven winners of this race.

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