I'm bound for Killarney this evening and if you've never been fortunate enough to visit it really is one for the bucket list.
It's a really great country track in a glorious setting and, in a normal year anyway, has a touch of Galway about it without quite so much of the party atmosphere!
It's the other way round to Galway, of course, and is a pretty sharp, left-handed track so it really pays to kick well from the gate and sit on or close to the lead.
I've got to mention Sharp Focus in the second race as he makes a quick turnaround following an eyecatching fifth at Leopardstown on Saturday. Unfortunately the overnight 4/1 is long gone and his price has totally evaporated now but if you don't mind following the money and getting a shortie in the bag early then he makes obvious appeal.
I'm left with two quite strong each-way fancies on the card, starting with KOYBIG (6/1 888sport 1/5 1,2,3) in the Kelly Farm Modernisation Ltd. Apprentice Handicap.
He's a dual course winner, winning off 80 and 71, the latter coming over a mile last summer. He's got a very good draw in stall two which is a big plus.
He did ok on the all-weather over the winter and has run two highly creditable race back on turf. The Leopardstown winner last time has gone in again, while the runner-up is a good, solid yardstick.
The danger here is Gee Rex but he looks to have been over-bet all starts for Joseph O'Brien and is asking to be opposed at the prices.
The ground has dried out according to this morning's reports and good ground will really suit Koybig.
I've put REDDIAC up the last twice without success but am keen to go in again and get it all back, and more.
He doesn't have a bad draw (stall seven) in the Easyclean Handicap and it represents a slight ease in class.
He's shaped well in two starts for Henry De Bromhead under Rachael Blackmore and Chris Hayes now takes the ride. He's got a bit of back-class from his days with Ed Dunlop, running behind Calyx and Dark Vision.
He ran well on his comeback when fifth at Leopardstown but an eight-day turnaround and a very wide draw didn't suit at Limerick last time. He's been off since and is fancied to take full advantage of a 2lb ease in the weights.
I'll take the 11/2 with the firms offering four places as I'd be surprised if he wasn't right in there at the business end.
Posted at 1125 BST on 15/07/20
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