APACHE GOLD has been a model of consistency lately and can record his second win of the season in the apprentice handicap at Gowran Park on Wednesday.
The form of his last two runs has worked out really well and he looks capable of gaining a sixth career success off his current mark. He had to settle for third behind Aye Aye Skipper at Killarney but the winner and the runner-up, Udogo, have gone on to frank the form since.
Aye Aye Skipper reopposes now after finishing only fifth at Bellewstown last week when fancied to complete a hat-trick.
Apache Gold now enjoys a 14lb turnaround on ratings and that should surely be enough to reverse the placings. The selection had been a winner at Tipperary previously over this trip and has also won at Gowran in the past over a mile.
He seems versatile ground-wise and has a good apprentice on his back in Donnacha O’Brien.
It’s interesting that Johnny Levins’s stable apprentice Donagh O’Connor doesn’t ride Aye Aye Skipper but is instead on Fairy Foxglove. She has been runner-up on her last two starts and remains on the lowest mark of 47 so the handicapper appears to be giving her a chance. She could be the danger.
The apprentice handicap has been split to form an eight-race card and the first division looks a really tricky contest.
Artistic Integrity has run well on his last two outings and as a previous course and distance winner has to have a big shout.
Wexford Opera caught the eye running on well at the Curragh on Sunday and it’s interesting that he’s turned out again so quickly. He ended last season on a rating of 90 so has dropped to a nice mark now and it looks significant that Jim Bolger steps him right up in trip.
Haqeeba looked to get stuck in the mud at Sligo last time and appears to be off a nice mark now he’s trying handicap company in the seven-furlong nursery.
The one horse that could be a fly in the ointment is the Kevin Prendergast-trained Fair City who hasn’t shown a lot but looks to have been running over the wrong trip on his last couple of outings. Any money for the JP McManus-owned gelding would obviously ring a few alarm bells.
Spiritual Man has shown some solid maiden form and can capitalise on a drop in class in the opening claimer, while Reddot Roman shaped well on his Roscommon debut and looks the one in the juvenile maiden.
GARY CARSON
3.55pm: Spiritual Man (dbl)
4.25pm: Wexford Opera
4.55pm: Reddot Roman
5.25pm: Haqeeba
5.55pm: Perfect Fit
6.25pm: Artistic Integrity
6.55pm: Apache Gold (nap)
7.25pm: Here For The Craic
NEXT BEST
3.55pm: Vitalized
4.25pm: Swordfight
4.55pm: Auld Brig
5.25pm: Fairy City
5.55pm: Bairns At Bay
6.25pm: Tanneron
6.55pm: Avalanche
7.25pm: Cillian's Return
