Ireland today

Some good racing also in Ireland, with flat racing at Gowran Park and N.H. racing at Navan. where there are huge fields - 4 of the 7 races have 30 runners! When Glad Lion won the Preis des Winterfavoriten in 2003, it could not hae been imagine that he would be running 5 years later in a modst maiden hurdle in Ireland, but that is the case. However he has obviously had major problems and seems to be totally out of form. He runs in the opening race at Navan at 15.40. The mares maiden hurdle here half an hour later can go to Michael Bowe´s Fair Ina, while Charlie Swan can take the featured 2 1/2 mile chase at 17.45 with Oodachee (David Casey). At Gowran Park, the Group Three fillies race over 9 1/2 furlongs at 17.30 is the main feature. This looks quite open, but Caribbean Sunset (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) looks best on form, having twice finished only 4 lengths behind Lush Lashes - in Group One races at Ascot and Leopardstown. Sir Mark Prescott has an excellent strike rate in I reland, so his Soft Morning (Declan McDonagh) is an obvious danger. Smullen can also go close with Austin Leahy´s Prince Igor in the 7 furlongs handicap at 15.55.