Review gowran park 23rd May

< Dabulena continued on her upward curve by landing the odds in the Ladies Day June 24th Fillies Race at Gowran Park.

Having struck at the third time of asking at the Curragh, Dermot Weld asked his three-year-old to turn out again just nine days later.

With rank outsider Sally Gap refusing to go into the stalls, the field was reduced to four, with Pat Smullen tracking the pacesetting Ceol Na Nog on Weld's 10-11 favourite.

She had to work hard to get to the front, and was made to pull out more when Elizabeth Browning emerged as the final challenger, but she was a willing partner for Smullen and scored by a length and a quarter.< Modern Approach made it third-time lucky with a determined display in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

The Jim Bolger-trained 9-1 chance was pressed for the lead by favourite Lovemenot for much of the final couple of furlongs, but answered every question posed by Kevin Manning and flashed past the post a short head to the good.< Music Box was backed down to 4-6 for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden and all appeared to be going to plan when she shot clear halfway down the straight.

John Feane's newcomer Bigwood (14-1) hadn't read the script, though, and he ate into Music Box's lead before stretching a length clear.

Sheila Lavery has her string in good heart at present and landed the Thomastown Handicap courtesy of 8-1 shot Secret Wizard who disposed of Heartful by half a length.< Military Hill (4-1) took the Gowran Park Claiming Race under Ronan Whelan, who also landed the Kilkenny Senior Hurlers Race Day June 24th Handicap (Div 1) on 7-1 shot Belcare Boy, with the second division going to Lomi's Law (10-1).< Dasheen (10-1) was a poignant winner of the Paulstown Handicap because his owner and former trainer Lady Jane Gillespie sadly passed away last week.