Saturday's Gowran Park Preview

The Gowran Park Champion Chase provides the highlight of a top-class card in County Kilkenny.

With Conna Castle and Rathgar Beau likely to come on for their runs at Listowel, they should be in the shake-up, but this contest could be the first win since 2005 for Kicking King.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup hero has been blighted by a series of setbacks since winning his second King George at Sandown, but returned after 759 days off the track to take second in the Normans Grove Chase.

That showed he retained much of his old sparkle and though subsequent efforts were less convincing, he does go well after a lay-off and could be the answer.

Tellhimnow and The Quiet Enforcer both made winning debuts over hurdles last time, but come up against a host of ex-Flat performers in the Kilford Arms 3-Y-O Hurdle.

So Much Commotion and Patriot Jack showed enough on the level to give hope in this sphere, but Niall Madden appears to have a decent sort in First In Line, whose efforts over a mile have been encouraging.

Fantoche wasn't beaten far on his chasing debut and after a solid fifth in the Irish Cesarewitch, he can notch his first success over fences in the Lord Bagenal Inn Beginners Chase.

Jessica Harrington's charge won't have it all his own way, however, with the likes of Killenaule Boy and Stromstad trying to get their heads in front.

Coscorrig won as she liked at Bellewstown last time and will be out to follow up in the Gowran Christmas Party Meeting 12th December Handicap Hurdle.

The six-year-old earned a 9lb rise for that emphatic success, and if that hike proves too much to bear, expect Ringned and Pillar Of Hercules to be ready to pounce.

Tory Hill Lad will be out to atone after being unluckily brought down at Galway in the Bennettsbridge Handicap Chase, while Tom Foley will be after his third win in four years in the
ProAir Heat Recovery Ventilation Systems INH Flat Race with Boyne Dancer.