Gunship to hit Newcastle target

Gunship went into a few notebooks on his last outing and can get back in the winning groove in the Michael John Hrycko Handicap at Newcastle on Sunday.

An Irish Derby entry, the Sea The Stars colt was given plenty to do by Oisin Murphy at Sandown but he stayed on strongly to finish third in what is likely to turn out to be a hot little race won by Sing Us A Song.

He won on his debut at Newcastle so the surface is not going to prove a problem and on his only other outing, he was second to Michael Scofield, who subsequently ran well in the Listed Burradon Stakes.

As Sandown was his first attempt at 2000m, he was probably ridden to get the trip. Now they know he stays, Daniel Muscutt can be more positive on him.

Trainer James Ferguson and Muscutt have strong claims of a double on the card with top weight Kildare Legend in the Celebrating The Life Of Lee Murphy Handicap.

Another by Sea The Stars, he was not cheap at E250,000 but is on the way to repaying that.

Wins at Southwell and Doncaster preceded a massive effort in the hugely competitive Old Rowley Cup last autumn when he was third of 15.

He reappears off the same mark of 91 and this is less competitive, albeit far from a penalty kick.

Tim Easterby has made a flying start to the campaign and now he knows Hosanna Power a little better, more can be expected in the second division of the Weekend Winners On At The Races Handicap.

This time last year he won quite a valuable race at Newbury for the now-retired Sir Michael Stoute off 81.

He subsequently struggled off marks in the mid-80s and made no show on his first run for Easterby at Ripon recently.

However, down to a rating of 78 and having just the 10th race of his life, he could be well treated.

Given the recent dry weather, it is little surprise both jumps fixtures have attracted small fields, with only two going to post in the Sinclair Range Rover Novices' Limited Handicap Chase at Ludlow.

They are two useful types but clear preference is for Ballintubber Boy for Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies over Nicky Henderson's Shanagh Bob.

The latter has been disappointing since winning a Grade Two novice hurdle in December 2023 and did not look in love with fences on his initial forays.

Ballintubber Boy did not jump brilliantly on his chasing debut but was still only beaten in a photo and has far more potential to improve.

Chris Gordon always does well at Plumpton and his lightly-raced Goodwin Face should take plenty of beating in the Aine Mellett 40th Birthday Handicap Hurdle. - Press Association

SELECTIONS:

KILLARNEY: Race 1 - 14.20 Woodview Lad, Race 2 - 14.55 Eyeeye, Race 3 - 15.30 Redwood Queen, Race 4 - 16.05 Stuntman Steve, Race 5 - 16.40 Will The Wise, Race 6 - 17.15 Out For A Stroll, Race 7 - 17.50 Paggane, Race 8 - 18.25 Galileo Sand.

LEOPARDSTOWN: Race 1 - 14.10 Valencia, Race 2 - 14.45 Lombardi Trophy, Race 3 - 15.20 Verspertilio, Race 4 - 15.55 Diego Velazquez, Race 5 - 16.30 Delacroix, Race 6 - 17.05 Etawa, Race 7 - 17.40 Masoun, Race 8 - 18.15 Nuit.

LUDLOW: Race 1 - 15.05 Ballintubber Boy, Race 2 - 15.40 Service Minimum, Race 3 - 16.15 Imperial Jade, Race 4 - 16.50 Star Of Guiting, Race 5 - 17.25 Jaxonne, Race 6 - 18.00 Luna Run.

NEWCASTLE: Race 1 - 15.50 Sea Legend, Race 2 - 16.25 Hosanna Power, Race 3 - 17.00 GUNSHIP (NAP), Race 4 - 17.35 Kildare Legend, Race 5 - 18.10 Shwaimah, Race 6 - 18.45 Grand Karat, Race 7 - 19.15 Oolong Poobong, Race 8 - 19.45 Sergeant Wilko.

PLUMPTON: Race 1 - 14.50 Ask Peter, Race 2 - 15.25 The Wise Traveller, Race 3 - 16.00 McGrath From Clune, Race 4 - 16.35 Goodwin Face, Race 5 - 17.10 Hecouldbetheone, Race 6 - 17.45 Sea Invasion, Race 7 - 18.20 Queen's Theatre.