Group race in Ireland today

We have two low-level jumps cards in England today, plus flat racing from Scotland (Hamilton) and Ireland (Gowran), but only one race of black type standard, and that is the fillies Group Three over 9 furlongs at 16.55 CET at Gowran Park. The well-bred Brooch (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) is the interesting runner here; she has won both her starts in good style - starting at odds-on on each occasion, and looks well up to this better grade. The two British raiders Odeliz (Kark Burke/ Danny Tudhope) and Regardez (Ralph Beckett/ Joseph O´Brien) are the obvious dangers. The other races of interest here are the two 2yo maidens that open the card; Aidan O´Brien has several runners in each - we assume that Joseph has chosen the right ones, but we wouldn´t bet on it!

At Hamilton the 6 furlongs conditions race at 16.20 is the main feature, and 4 of the 5 runners are useful, including last year´s winner and CD specialist Hopes N´Dreams (Kevin Ryan/ Barry McHugh); however Baccarat (Richard Fahey/ George Chaloner), who ran well enough in a Group One last time and had earlier won at Royal Ascot, is well clear on ratings and we expect him to win.

The two jumps carda are of little interest, with some small fields as well, but two horses that ran unplaced in the German Derby catch our eye. Russian Bolero (David Bridgewater/ Tom Scudamore) makes his hurdling debut at 15.30 at Plumpton;he is one of a number of this season´s better German 3yo´s to have been sold to go jumping and we hope he scores first time out. The older Milord (Kim Bailey/ Tony McCoy) runs in the maiden hurdle at 15.10 at Uttoxeter; he has had plenty of runs over sticks and has been very frustrating so far, however it will be a surprise if he cannot get off the mark here.

Gowran Park - betting forecast:
1. Race: Together Forever - Outstanding - Sarah Joyce
2. Race: Aared - Hans Holbein - Intransive
3. Race: Succeed And Excel - Crecora - The Nutcracker
4. Race: Hoppsan - Corker Hill - Athassel
5. Race: Brooch - Odeliz - Regardez
6. Race: Keyboard Melody - Daigreen - Bogardus
7. Race: First Sitting - Tirghra - Pershing
8. Race: Quartz - Coolfighter - Waydownsouth