Wentwood back on home soil for Gowran Park feature

2.40 Gowran Park
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From the shores of San Francisco bay to Gowran Park in County Kilkenny is the route Wentwood has taken to find himself running in this feature €26,000 handicap, the richest prize on the card.

A winner over 1m2f at Cork in April, Wentwood travelled to Golden Gate Fields racetrack in California later that month and finished seventh in a Grade 3 over a mile.

Chris Hayes partners the four-year-old in his first race since, and he said: "Wentwood has had a nice break since his trip to the US. He's in good form and while it looks a competitive race we're hoping he runs well."

Wentwood faces ten rivals, notably the Ger Lyons-trained Tony The Gent, whose four victories include two at this track, the latest coming over a mile last month.

Chris Hayes: partners WentwoodCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Another four-time winner in the line-up is Fit For Function, the mount of in-demand 7lb claimer Andrew Slattery.

Joe Murphy, trainer of the six-year-old who won over the course and distance last month, said: "Fit For Function should run a good race if the ground doesn't get slower than good to yielding. The better it is the more he'll like it."

Geological, whose ten wins are split evenly between turf and the all-weather, represents Damian English. He said: "He ran a blinder to win over the trip at Leopardstown last month. We backed him up only two days later at Naas when he carried a penalty and ran well to finish fourth over a mile.

"He's in great form and, back to seven furlongs, I'm looking forward to a massive run."

Damian English is hoping for another bold run from stable star GeologicalCredit: Alain Barr

The Ken Condon-trained Ice Cold In Alex, twice a winner over the trip, will be having his first start of the season, while the Denis Hogan-trained Make A Challenge is set for a quick reappearance having finished fifth at Fairyhouse on Friday evening.

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