1.30 Kerry Group 3Y0 Hurdle 2m
Feigh, a hugely impressive winner on her racecourse debut at Killarney last month, may be able to maintain her unbeaten record. Willie Mullins filly made most of the running on that occasion and responded well after being hampered by a loose horse. The tighter Listowel track will play to her strengths so she looks the one to beat.
Too Bright was strong at the finish when making a winning debut at Ballinrobe earlier this month, being heavily eased close home. Noel Meade has plenty of firepower in this division, so it has to be of some significance that he relies on the son of Fulbright in this competitive affair.
SELECTION: FEIGH
Next Best: Too Bright
2.00 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle 2m4f
French Made was a high-class hurdler at her best but had been off the track for 782 days before disappointing at Galway. The jury remains out on the Willie Mullins-trained mare at this stage but it would be a mistake to discount any runner from that yard.
The market may provide an indicator has to what is expected but being the chosen one from a host of entries she has to be the pick. Brave Way looks the main threat, despite being absent since finishing down the field in Grade 1 company at Fairyhouse. She will appreciate the easier test here but may not cope with French Made if that mare retains her old ability.
SELECTION: FRENCH MADE
Next Best: Brave Way
2.30 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle (Div l) 2m4f
Outlier could be a well handicapped filly despite her obvious inexperience in this company. Pat Flynn’s four-year-old made an impressive winning debut at Tipperary in May, before running with credit when third in a stronger event next time. Strictly on that later run, a mark of 100 is no more than fair but there must be every possibility that she has more to give.
Rathnaleen Tou made a winning start to life with Eoin McCarthy when landing a gamble at Limerick in April and subsequently went close back at that same venue the following month. Pulled up when bursting at Kilbeggan last time, she has something to prove now but will surely have been laid out for this meeting.
SELECTION: OUTLIER
Next Best: Rathnaleen Tou
3.00 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle (Div ll) 2m4f
Butterflyvespiere should play a prominent role here having run with credit when third in a much stronger contest at Galway last time. The Peter Fahey trained five travelled supremely well throughout that two-mile race, if anything getting to the front too soon, before idling late on. She will appreciate stepping back up in distance here as she was strong at the finish over 2m3f at Downpatrick in June.
She’s Commanche was a runaway winner of a competitive heat at Leopardstown in March but pulled up at Fairyhouse on her next start. She is almost certainly better than that latest effort suggests, so has to be respected if anywhere near the form she was in at the Foxrock track earlier in the year. On overall form, she would have to be regarded as a serious threat to all.
SELECTION: BUTTERFLYVESPIERE
Next Best: She’s Commanche
3.30 Dairygold Maiden Hurdle 3m
Captain Kangaroo may finally get his turn, with the step up in trip likely to prove beneficial. The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old won on his bumper debut at Clonmel in March 2020 but has failed to add to that success in eight runs over flights.
He gives the impression of one who will be suited by three miles and boasts the highest official rating in this field. It will be disappointing if he can’t shed his maiden tag here.
Lanziano belied odds of 250/1 when beaten a short-head at Kilbeggan last time. The five-year-old was equipped with first-time cheekpieces, so that aid clearly made a difference. He also benefitted from stepping up in trip so should be staying on strongly at the death here, especially if the headgear continues to have the desired effect.
SELECTION: CAPTAIN KANGAROO
Next Best: Lanziano
4.00 Strings & Things Rated Novice Chase 2m1f
Poseidon should take all the beating in this tight knit contest with the conditions very much in his favour.
With a hurdle rating of 136, he looks the classiest horse in the race, so added to the fact he receives weight from the top horse and he looks an enticing prospect. The minimum trip is also likely to suit him better than most as he has a smart turn of foot.
Slige Dala makes his chasing debut here so much has to be taken on trust. However, he did make a winning hurdling debut at this track last year, so this could have been a long-term plan.
Joseph O’Brien had a few entries for the race so perhaps the hint should be taken.
SELECTION: POSEIDON
Next Best: Slige Dala
4.30 Kerry Group Chase 2m4f
Ballyoisin, who made a winning return from injury at Ballinrobe, can continue to make up for lost time. Enda Bolger did an amazing job to have the 10-year-old fit enough at the first time of asking, so if anything, even better can be expected now. With race conditions giving him an edge over some similarly rated rivals, he looks set to make it two in a row.
Easy Game has run most of his best races at this distance so has to be respected back over his optimum trip. The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old was last seen when staying on strongly into second in the Galway Plate.
A former dual Grade 2 winner, he has much to recommend him now so the opposition will need to be at their very best.
SELECTION: BALLYOISIN
Next Best: Easy Game
5.00 Kerry Group (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 2m
Quantum Realm, an expensive failure at Downpatrick on his racecourse debut, can recover losses in this finale.
Gordon Elliott’s five-year-old had been an impressive point-to-point winner at Dromahane last October but failed to live up to expectations at the northern track. It wouldn’t be the first time a bubble had been burst at that unique venue so he has to be afforded another chance.
Tempo Chapter Two has to be of interest on his debut for the Willie Mullins yard. Second on his last start for Adrian Murray at Downpatrick in March, he was subsequently switched to the multiple times champion trainer. With no disrespect to his previous handler, it would be no surprise if Mullins found further improvement.
SELECTION: QUANTUM REALM
Next Best: Tempo Chapter Two