PRESENT

Gowran goers gifted chance to see superstar Percy

GOLD Cup favourite Presenting Percy is on course to have his second run of the season in the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase at Gowran on Saturday.

Pat Kelly’s dual Cheltenham Festival winner is among eight entries for the two and a half mile contest in which he finished second to Our Duke 12 months ago.

The 3/1 Gold Cup shot got his season off to a great start with a smooth success in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran last month.

“I spoke to Pat this morning and he is very happy with Presenting Percy,” said the gelding’s owner Philip Reynolds.

“He came out of the Galmoy Hurdle very well and has improved from that. Pat is happy with where he has him now.

“A bit like last year we will be going there hopeful rather than confident and the race that should put him spot on for what will hopefully be a race in three and a half weeks or so.”

One horse who will miss Saturday’s Gowran race and the rest of the season is Jessica Harrington’s Sizing John. The 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner has met with a setback which will rule him out for the rest of the season.

This latest injury blow means Sizing John has only run three times since that never to be forgotten victory at Cheltenham two years ago.

Meanwhile, domestic racing returns at Fairyhouse this afternoon where Black Tears can it make it third time lucky for the season in the mares maiden hurdle.

Gordon Elliott’s, inset, mare was a classy sort in bumpers last term and has started her hurdling career with two second place finishes.

It was perhaps a little disappointing she didn’t win at Down Royal a couple of weeks ago but she has been found a good opportunity to make the breakthrough.

Elliott will also be fancied to land the mares beginners chase with Missy Tata who developed into quite a high class hurdler a couple of seasons ago.

However, she has been off the track for over two years and softer ground might suit her better so instead the vote goes to Moyhenna. The Denis Hogan-trained daughter of Westerner is a decent mare and has posted two fine efforts in defeat against quality Willie Mullins inmates since going chasing.