Distance: 7f | Ground: Soft | Pace Forecast: Strong | Field: 9 runners
Draw Bias: Minimal (straight track), but strong pace likely to favour closers and tactically versatile types.

🔥 Strongest Contender – BIG GOSSEY

Trainer: Charles O’Brien | Jockey: W.J. Lee
Form: 3rd of 12 in Curragh handicap (RPR 115) just 13 days ago
ProHandicap Rating: 124 (top-rated)
Big Gossey thrives at the Curragh and comes into this Listed event race-fit and in form. A strong pace is forecast, and that’s ideal for this seasoned 8yo, who has shown repeatedly that he can finish strongly off a good gallop. A proven performer in soft ground and still capable of mixing it at this level, he looks underrated by the market at 15/2.

🧠 Timeform comment: “Added to his many good efforts at this venue when third in a handicap off 105 a couple of weekends ago.”

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⚠️ Main Dangers

HURRICANE IVOR

Trainer: Jessica Harrington | Jockey: S. McCullagh
ProHandicap Rating: 115
Bounced back to form last week at Naas and looks well suited by today’s setup – soft ground and a strong pace. Can often blow the start, but if he breaks on terms, he’s a major threat to all.

POET MASTER

Trainer: Karl Burke | Jockey: Sam James
ProHandicap Rating: 113
Won a Group 2 here last season and is clearly a classy performer, but returns from a 174-day break and may struggle to settle in a race that’s likely to be strongly run. Has drift risk and freshness concerns, but if on song, he’s good enough.

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💰 Each-Way Value

CAMILLE PISSARRO (3/1 currently)

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien | Jockey: Ryan Moore
ProHandicap Rating: 110
Won the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère in France last time, but that was back in October and this looks more like a prep for bigger spring targets. He’s best held up and could be caught cold if things unfold quickly upfront. Timeform hints he often trades much bigger in-play than BSP – an angle for in-running layers or back-to-lay players.

🗣 Timeform: “Could well trade much higher than Betfair SP… as has happened before when successful.”

POWER UNDER ME (16/1)

Reliable yard, good form in the book, and won a Group 3 last year over a similar trip in soft. Trainer Ger Lyons knows how to ready one fresh, and he’s got solid place credentials.

🏁 Verdict

Back Big Gossey (win/place) – everything looks in his favour, and he’s trading at well over double the ProHandicap tissue price.
Consider Hurricane Ivor and Power Under Me for each-way or forecast combos.
Avoid Poet Master and Camille Pissarro at current odds unless prices drift.