Killarney Preview
Tuesday 13 July 2010
The second day of Killarney's four-day festival sees Aidan O'Brien send Irish St Leger entry Scottish Reel for the Corcoran's Furniture & Carpets Handicap.
The beautifully-bred son of Sadler's Wells filled the runner-up berth on his first couple of outings and was out of the frame when favourite at the Curragh last time, but he may be a different proposition now he tackles handicaps.
However, top-weight Knight Eagle will be a tough nut to crack and had the reopposing Top Spin one place behind when chasing home another Ballydoyle inmate in Bright Horizon at the Curragh.
O'Brien sends Ice Empress to the well once more for the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at 5.40pm, although this experienced three-year-old lacks the scope for improvement of Treasure The Cross.
Dermot Weld's charge is related to High Chaparral and showed plenty of the family talent when just touched off on her Wexford introduction.
Fantoche spearheads a twin-pronged attack on the Killarney Veterinary Clinic Race from the Jessie Harrington stable and the eight-year-old has proved he retains plenty of zest for the game with a couple of placed efforts since switching from chasing.
But this is a deceptively open contest and money for Magen's Star would be interesting on her belated seasonal debut.
Surrey Spinner also has an absence to overcome but was a winner when last seen and the market should again provide a reliable guide to his chances in the Robin Parke Memorial Handicap.
Gra Geal Mo Chroi and Matjar are race fit, though, and will expose any chinks in his armour should he prove a bit ring-rusty.
There is also plenty for National Hunt enthusiasts to sink their teeth into and the pick of the jumping action is the Winner's Enclosure At The Malton Novice Chase, in which Willie Mullins' returning Persian City has Next Week and Penny's Bill to beat.
