Successful in the race 12 months ago when Green Triangle led home a 1-2-3-4 for the trainer, Joseph O'Brien is mob-handed in this year's Gowran Classic and is responsible for 13 of the 41 horses left standing in the valuable contest.
O'Brien's team is headed by the 107-rated Hardy Warrior (Pinatubo) as he bids to land the €200,000 contest for the second year running on Monday.
He said, “The Irish EBF Gowran Classic is a standout fixture in the calendar and, having won it last year with Green Triangle, we naturally wanted to target it again. We have some strong contenders still in and are delighted with how their preparations have gone. The €200,000 prize-money is a massive incentive and the Smullen Series does a fantastic job of giving these developing, middle-distance horses a platform to showcase their talents.”
Meanwhile, Richard Hannon is plotting to cross the Irish Sea with Bunyola Bay (Ghaiyyath).
He said, “Bunyola Bay is a very nice, likeable horse who is certainly on the upgrade, having shown plenty of promise so far with a nice win at Doncaster last month. We look forward to running him for this big pot at Gowran Park and are hopeful of a big performance.”
Adding to the day's excitement is the €1,000 Cash Sweepstakes, linked directly to the €200,000 Irish EBF Gowran Classic race. Entry forms will be available on the day, with a live draw taking place in the parade ring approximately one hour before the main race. One name will be drawn for each horse in the race, and the name linked to the winning horse will scoop €1,000 cash.
There is a packed lineup of entertainment on the day, featuring the Sonix Entertainment Zone and the much-loved Nore Valley Pet Farm. Live music will include performances by the Lady Dysart Choir and Ryan Nugent, followed by an energetic live set from After Dark in the Thyestes Bar to keep the celebrations going long after the final race. Thanks to the sponsorship of the Irish National Professional Bookmakers Association, admission to the track is completely free for all racegoers. Racegoers can secure your complimentary tickets ahead of time by downloading them directly from Gowran Park's website.
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