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Gowran Park preview

Action at Gowran gets under way at 5.15
Action at Gowran gets under way at 5.15

Jim Bolger is putting the finishing touches to Dawn Approach's Derby preparations and can head to Epsom on a high after Wexford Opera takes in the Like Us On Facebook (C & G) Maiden at Gowran Park.

A son of New Approach - like his esteemed stable companion - Wexford Opera has had plenty of opportunities to break his duck, most recently when second at Navan.

But the step up to seven furlongs should see him in a better light and he sets the standard at which well-bred newcomers Flashy Approach and Inkerman must aspire to.

Late Rosebud's Curragh third on the opening day of the turf season will have given connections plenty of encouragement and she attempts to build on that in the opening Paulstown Fillies Maiden at 5.15.

Dermot Weld's charge must cross swords with Wannabe Better, who drops in class after going under by little more than three lengths in the Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial.

Brown Butterfly failed by a whisker at the Curragh last weekend and a similar performance will see her go very close in the Bennettsbridge Rated Race.

Her trainer Kevin Prendergast is also responsible for Caged Lightning in the Goresbridge Handicap, although he will need to improve from last month's Dundalk triumph if he is to contend with Kiss Goodnight, who gave the classy Salhooda a bit of a fright at Ballinrobe on Monday.

Michael Halford throws two arrows at the Thomastown Handicap and Lonan has the edge in recent match-practice over stablemate Bensoon, but he has ground to make up on The Fox Tully from their Curragh clash at the beginning of the month, with a 4lb pull at the weights.

Conversational deserves to break through after a couple of second-placings and her turn may come in the Ladies Day 23rd June At Gowran Park Handicap, but Mizenberg Nights is holding her form well and won't go down without a fight. 

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