Killarney’s July Festival comes to an end on Friday, but not to fret, as we’ve got eight selections to follow. Reading this on Thursday? We’ve also got eight selections for today.
- 13:32 Misty Cove (E/W)
- 14:02 Tumbling In
- 14:32 Warriors Wood
- 15:07 Jasko Des Dames (E/W)
- 15:42 Shadow Paddy
- 16:17 Lecale’s Diamond
- 16:52 Oogum Boogum
- 17:25 Echoes Of Jane
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13:32 2m1f 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle
Words Unspoken sets the standard in terms of jumping form, having finished fourth at Limerick on rules debut 15 days back.
Cite Florale fetched a hefty price as a yearling and, while she has yet to justify that investment on the Flat, the daughter of Galiway looks capable of making a winning start over hurdles. Her second career outing, when finishing just three lengths behind the now 91-rated Glyfada, stands out as particularly strong form and gives her every chance if adapting to this new discipline.
Misty Cove has won once from four starts on the Flat and is rated 74 in that sphere. Seemingly Gavin Cromwell’s leading hope, she could have the credentials to play a prominent role.
Selection: Misty Cove (E/W)
14:02 2m7f Mares Maiden Hurdle
Tumbling In was a good third on hurdling debut at Listowel last month, and being a full sister to the Listed hurdles winner Dream On Baby, who has winning form over this trip, she has the profile to improve majorly for trainer Eric McNamara.
Fraher Field finished ahead of Tumbling In at Listowel over two miles but has since been safely held on the flat. Tumbling In may turn the form around.
Selection: Tumbling In
14:32 2m7f Handicap Hurdle
Jacovec Cavern has been in excellent form of late for Paul Hennessy, as illustrated by his mark rising from 109 to 121 in the space of three runs. He tired over an extended three miles at Kilbeggan last time, so a small drop in trip may help.
Warriors Wood switches back to hurdles after three solid performances over fences this season. Brian Hayes’ mount is now 8lb lower in this discipline, and the step up in distance looks likely to suit. His latest effort behind Ol Man Dingle reads well and makes him a leading contender.
Selection: Warriors Wood
15:07 2m1f Handicap Chase
Henry de Bromhead won this race in 2021 with Capuccimix and the trainer has a good chance again this year with both Special Cadeau and Jasko Des Dames potentially on good marks. The former was beaten just two lengths in a Premier Handicap at Ascot in November and is now 4lb lower, while Jasko Des Dames finished fifth in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham in March and is now also 4lb lower. Perhaps crucially, Darragh O’Keeffe has opted to ride Jasko Des Dames.
Gaelic Arc won this race two years ago and has hit form of late with a win and a neck second in his last two runs. He’s now 1lb lower than 24 months ago. He can put it up to the de Bromhead pair, as can The Bangor Doyle in what looks a cracking €25,000 race.
Selection: Jasko Des Dames (E/W)
15:42 2m1f Novice Chase
Having lost his position as JP McManus’ retained rider, it’s interesting to note Mark Walsh is booked on Net Boy by Barry Connell. Net Boy bolted up despite taking a keen hold at Ballinrobe last time; he’s clearly talented but also quirky, as displayed when he unseated Sean Flanagan on chase debut.
Endless Talking made all to win a maiden hurdle at Downpatrick by 20 lengths in May and has since won on chase debut at Tramore for Gavin Cromwell. He’ll look to make this a test for his rivals, but that may set it up nicely for Shadow Paddy.
Clearly held in high regard by trainer Eoin McCarthy, having been deemed good enough to contest the Sefton at Aintree in April, Shadow Paddy justified strong market support with an impressive chasing debut success at Limerick, and it could be next stop the Galway races if all goes well here.
Selection: Shadow Paddy
16:17 2m7f Handicap Chase (Div I)
Love Like This catches the eye on her return to fences. She arrives in good form after winning over hurdles at Kilbeggan on her penultimate start and has since risen to a mark of 89 in that discipline. Now racing from a mark 11lb lower over the larger obstacles, she looks well treated and could take full advantage of that lenient rating.
Tropical Image left her chase debut form well behind when going down narrowly at Listowel in a Beginners race last time. The mare, trained by Eoin Christopher McCarthy, who has some live chances on the card, is only 2lb above her last winning mark over hurdles.
In a very competitive contest, it may be worth siding with the Gavin Cromwell-trained Lecale’s Diamond. The gelding races off a lower chase mark than he carries over hurdles and overcame a troubled passage to score in a three-mile handicap hurdle last time. 51 days on, Cromwell will have had time to prepare him for just a third chase start.
Selection: Lecale’s Diamond
16:52 2m7f Handicap Chase (Div II)
Should Lecale’s Diamond oblige in the 16:17, it would be a form boost for Oogum Boogum, who was third to him at Wexford recently. Since then, Oogum Boogum has finished second at Clonmel, having won over the timber at Punchestown in May. He is evidently well handicapped if he can get the hang of things back over the larger obstacles.
Selection: Oogum Boogum
17:25 2m1f Mares INH Flat Race
Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, and Joseph O’Brien all saddle runners in the bumper. The champion trainer is an obvious starting point given he’s won three of the last four renewals of this race. Mullins unleashes Killeedy for the first time. By Jukebox Jury and out of a bumper winner, she’s ridden by Jody Townend (Patrick Mullins was the winning rider in 2022,2023 & 2024).
Land Me Safe couldn’t have been more impressive when making a winning debut for O’Brien at Limerick, but she must prove she handles quicker ground while carrying a penalty in a hot race.
Eugene O’Sullivan does have many bumper runners, but when he does, they are worth noting. The Cork handler has a 20% strike rate in bumpers and an impressive +€23.50 level-stakes profit in such races. His runner, Echoes Of Jane, was hampered by a faller at Listowel when finishing third on rules debut.
Land Me Safe will likely attempt to make all again, but having come from the PTP sphere, Echoes Of Jane won’t mind if this is turned into a stamina test.
Selection: Echoes Of Jane
Friday’s Killarney Selections
- 13:32 Misty Cove (E/W)
- 14:02 Tumbling In
- 14:32 Warriors Wood
- 15:07 Jasko Des Dames (E/W)
- 15:42 Shadow Paddy
- 16:17 Lecale’s Diamond
- 16:52 Oogum Boogum
- 17:25 Echoes Of Jane
