Gowran Park 5:37 Result

This is a wide-open 18-runner handicap, but Chipsrdown stands out on recent form and weight of shot. Her form figures -50231 show a filly who has recently won and finished 3rd, clearly progressing and race-fit off a level that suggests she's still ahead of the handicapper (OR58, carrying a competitive 140lbs). Despite the 93-day layoff, the yard is one to note and the drop back to a mile after a recent win suggests they're placing her well. Top-weight rivals like Selective Power and Spanish Princess are either out of form (-04944) or well-fancied but stale/long-absent (304 days). Watercraft is interesting on pedigree (Night Of Thunder) but unproven at this trip and off the track for 113 days with modest efforts. Haroussa has decent Aga Khan/Murtagh backing but her latest run (950 figures) doesn't inspire and she's stepping up in class/company against experienced handicappers. Duchess Anne (6-4282) is in-form and consistent, a solid include but hasn't shown the scope to win yet, mostly minor money. Overall, Chipsrdown's recent winning effort, plus the fact she's already shown she handles a mile and this ground, gives her the strongest recent form profile in a messy field. The class of race and prize money suggest little went well for the confirmed form horses, so I'm siding with the runner showing true upward trajectory.