Its an early start for the team as we head down to Killarney today with 13 runners.
Our first runner of the day is SHAJAK in the Killarney Towers Maiden Hurdle. He has a mark of 95 on the flat and makes the switch to hurdles for the first time here today. He’s been schooling well at home and we’re hoping that he will take to his hurdling debut well. Jody McGarvey takes the ride.
In the Mongey Communications Maiden Hurdle we send IDEAL DE CIERGUES down to post. He’s having his first start back after a little break and based on his hurdling form to date he should be in with a good chance of getting on the scoreboard here today under Keith Donoghue.
We saddle three runners in the Easyclean Tourist Attraction Mares Listed Hurdle. PARTY CENTRAL ran out an impressive winner on the flat at Gowran Park last time out when she was having her first run back in almost 12 months. She has some very useful form over hurdles in mares company and should go close today under Keith Donoghue. SHECOULDBEANYTHING has been a brilliant mare for connections. She was last seen winning the mares novice hurdle at the Punchestown festival and is another who has strong claims in todays contest. Donagh Meyler will be taking the ride. Our third runner is MEDIA NARANJA who gets a weight allowance for being the only 4yo in the field. She is another who has been running really well for connections and could well be involved in the placings. Jody McGarvey rides.
GLAN and GORDONS AURA run in the Oyster Tavern Handicap Hurdle. Gordons Aura was unlucky when unseating at the first last time out in Punchestown. Before that he had run a great race to finish 3rd in a novice handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday. He’ll have to find a bit more to compete against this more experienced field today but is capable of putting in a big run. Carl Millar rides and claims 7lb. Glan was last seen finishing midfield in a Grade B handicap hurdle at Punchestown. She has the ability to run some big races in handicap company and should appreciate the better ground. Corey McGivern rides and claims 7lb.
PERFECT ATTITUDE and VINA ARDANZA run in the Gerard O’Sullivan Memorial Novice Chase. Perfect Attitude is having his 3rd start over fences. Whilst he disappointed on his chasing debut he did show a much better account of himself next time out when runner up at Listowel. Keith Donoghue takes the ride on him today. VINA ARDANZA has been running to a high level in handicap company over hurdles. His chasing debut didn’t go to plan when he fell here last year but we’ve got his confidence back up and we’re hoping for a clear round of jumping under Jody McGarvey.
We run HAPPY D’EX in the mares beginners chase. She has been placed on all 4 of her starts over fences to date and should appreciate the step up in trip to 2m4f. She is one of the more experienced chasers in the field but it looks a competitive race. Keith Donoghue will be in the saddle.
We send two down to post in the Killarney National. BALLYKEEL ran a huge race to finish 2nd in the Grade B handicap chase at the Punchestown Festival under Corey McGivern. He has been very consistent since making the switch to fences and could play a leading role here today. Corey keeps the ride on him. DEFINITE PLAN is another who has given his connections some brilliant days out. He wasn’t on a going day last time out in Cheltenham which was disappointing as he had put in a great run the time before in Navan when finishing second by a neck. He wears first time blinkers here today and Ricky Doyle takes the ride. THE ABBEY has been declared but is a 3rd reserve.
RAINBOW LILY made a promising start to her career when 6th in a bumper at the Punchestown Festival. She should have come on well for that run and it would be great if she could finish in the placings for her connections. Harry Swan rides. WESEEKHERTHERE is a 1st reserve.
