Racecards
17:05 Gowran Park (IRE)
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Captain Christy Rated Novice Chase
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 3m 1f
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- €18,500 added
- Winner: €11,100
- 2nd: €3,700
- 3rd: €1,850
- 4th: €925
- Form 473-241
- Age 8
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 116
- Trainer L P Cusack
- Jockey E Walsh
disputed lead early, soon raced in 3rd, improved and on terms before 3 out where bad mistake, soon narrowly headed, gained narrow lead from last and stayed on best
- Form 1/135-87
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey J C Gainford
soon disputed lead, slight mistake 8th, led before 2 out, narrowly headed from last, kept on well without quite matching winner
- Form 41/9P4P
- Age 8
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey J B Foley
soon disputed lead, headed before 3 out, soon no extra and weakened
- Form P70P-00
- Age 8
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 91
- Trainer F Costello
- Jockey S F O'Keeffe
waited with, chasing leaders in 3rd when fell 4th
- Form P6P0-69
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer R K Watson
- Jockey Derek McGrath
waited with, in rear and slight mistake 2nd, pushed along briefly after 11th, pushed along again after next, closed approaching straight, 3rd 2 out, no extra and one pace after
Verdict
SPADES ARE TRUMPS was impressive when beating Definite Plan over the trip at Kilbeggan and a big run from the runner-up in the previous race would enhance his claims. The Dabbler was running in tough handicaps earlier in the year and put that experience to good use when landing a beginners' chase at Ballinrobe in August. Winning bumper and hurdler Golden Spread has so far disappointed over fences and will need to raise his game, as will Clondaw Secret, a winner between the flags and over timber who was beaten a long way on his chasing bow at Galway.
Formwatch
The Dabbler (IRE) 2-1fav (12-0) Chased leader, not fluent at 7th, 5th after 9th, progress in 3rd before 2 out, ridden into 2nd run-in, soon switched left, ran on well to lead close home, won at Ballinrobe 2m 7f gd in Aug beating Wa Wa (12-0) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Clondaw Secret (IRE) 40-1 (12-0) Mid-division and 6th from halfway, slightly hampered 4 out and took closer order in 3rd from next, dropped to 4th and not fluent last, no extra and weakened run-in, 7th of 15, dist behind Streets Of Doyen (12-0) at Galway 2m 7f gd in Jul.
Golden Spread 11-1 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along briefly 2nd, mistake and pushed along 9th, ridden and no extra 4 out, behind when pulled up before next, at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp Yielding in Aug.
Gone Galavanting (IRE) 66-1 (10-4) Rear of mid-division well off pace, no extra from 3 out, weakened, 13th of 16, dist behind Kilashee (11-0) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Sep.
Jimli's Island 200-1 (12-0) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 12, dist behind Hurricane Georgie (10-11) at Downpatrick 2m 2f Yielding - Soft in Sep.
Spades Are Trumps (IRE) 9-2 (12-0) Towards rear, not fluent 8th, 6th from 5 out, took closer order from next, not fluent 3 out and improved to lead after next, pushed along and kept on well run-in, comfortably, won at Kilbeggan 3m 1f Yielding in Aug beating Definite Plan (12-0) by 6l, 8 ran.