Lightly raced Araqeel makes handicap debut for Weld

3.05 Gowran Park
www.gowranpark.ie Handicap | 7f | ATR

Dermot Weld has sent out 41 winners from 158 runners at Gowran Park in the last five years, and 45 others have been second or third. That equates to a 26 per cent strike-rate at the track for the master of Rosewell House, who bids to enhance that impressive record with the lightly-raced Araqeel in the most valuable race on the card.

We have seen Araqeel only four times but he got within two and a half lengths of subsequent Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Awtaad in a Leopardstown maiden in the autumn of 2015, and he won his only start as a three-year-old in impressive fashion at Listowel last September.

Araqeel commences his handicap career off a mark of 88, and the son of Dutch Art is certainly one of the more interesting contenders in this €26,000 contest.

Four of the nine runners were successful last time, with Club Wexford's win achieved at Naas on Tuesday. He has a 6lb penalty to shoulder but appeared to score with plenty up his sleeve on that occasion.

Secret Wizard was victorious over a mile here last month, while Not A Bad Oul Day made it three wins from his last four starts when taking a mile handicap at Limerick last Saturday.

Not a bad place to be

Not A Bad Oul Day has a good record at Gowran Park. He has been successful on two of his five visits and his form figures at the venue read 17212.

What they say

Kevin Prendergast, trainer of Mizaah
He's the most consistent horse in the country but that is stopping him from winning. He's won only once in his career and that was a maiden. He's never won a handicap. We have to keep running him in these races as he's not good enough for a Group races. He looks to have a decent shout and hopefully his turn will come.

Pat Martin, trainer of Ishebayorgrey
He seems to be in really good form. He missed his intended engagement last time with a stone bruise but he's fine again now. Danny [Sheehy] got on great with him the last time he rode him and I'm very hopeful of a big run.

Sheila Lavery, trainer of Secret Wizard
He's in great form, he has got a great draw and I really do expect a great run from him.

Johnny Feane, trainer of Not A Bad Oul Day
He's been very progressive but has gone up 8lb for winning last time and that will make life tough. It's a great pot and our horses are running well so hopefully he'll go well. He's certainly in good heart and has a nice draw in stall one.