A very competitive card at Gowran today features a £20,000 handicap hurdle and an £11,000 handicap chase but for betting purposes the best prospect could come in the opening maiden.
Annieirwin ran last Sunday in a Listed contest at Naas but this race represents a substantial drop in class from running-on to be fourth behind Queens Love.
That Listed performance was a better reflection of Annieirwin's ability than previously at Punchestown. A confidently backed favourite, she saw Kilkenny Castle go 11 lengths clear but possibly too much use of her was made that day.
At Naas Annieirwin was waited with and, although the pace-setting Queens Love got clear, they do look to be the better tactics. Reasonable ground should also help the Frank Ennis-trained filly and she is selected to beat the Listowel sixth End Of The Day and the Curragh apprentice runner-up Nordic Point.
Experience can give Aidan O'Brien's Garcia Marquez the edge in the following juvenile maiden but later the attention will be on the jumps with a number of very useful dual purpose performers ensuring a tough contest.
Marginal preference is for Noel Meade's Frozen Groom who should relish much better ground after a very reasonable second to Musical Mayhem on soft going at the Listowel festival.
The Naas flat winner Quintus and the talented but somewhat frustrating Khairabar are sure to have their supporters. However, the better ground could be the key to Frozen Groom.
Meade should also be on the mark with Snow Dragon in the Beginners Chase. Ninth to Khayrawani in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham, Snow Dragon won three times over flights last season and on balance looks hard to beat in this.
The handicap chase is an intriguing contest but few won easier at Listowel than Nicholls Cross and despite top weight he should be suited by decent going and have the speed for the trip. The Listowel runner-up Kontiki Bay is the pick in the bumper.
