Killarney Race

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 1m 41.65s

(4)

Keats¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 99| D

4/6

Stayed on well to win a Gowran Park maiden in June over this trip before finding stablemate Napa Valley too good when upped in trip at the Curragh later that month; stable has won last two renewals of this contest and has excellent chance.

Form: 44-12

(6)

Masteroffoxhounds¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 95| D

9/2

Ran twice without scoring for Aidan O'Brien last term but made winning reappearance on stable debut when 1L winner of Navan maiden (1m, good to firm) on penultimate start; outclassed but not beaten far when upped in class latest; chances.

Form: 35-15

(1)

Real Force¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Chris Hayes| T: G O'Leary| OR: 99

12/1

Yet to go on since maiden victory over 5f at Naas last April but not entirely disgraced since; probably needed run when well beaten on return at Naas earlier this month; main question mark is this step up in trip.

Form: 1444-4

(2)

Shehreen^p1¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: O J Orr| T: D K Weld| OR: 98

12/1

Maiden winner at Galway last term but beaten in pattern company in three starts since including very disappointing seasonal reappearance run at Naas; drop back in trip will suit but some questions to answer.

Form: 3144-5

(5)

Epona Plays²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Nathan Crosse⁽⁵⁾| T: W McCreery| OR: 90| BF

4/1

Still a maiden but has put in some fair performances in defeat; probably a little below the class to win this and trip possibly on short side but small field contests can spit up unusual results.

Form: 43-52

Non-Runners

(3)

Frank Arthur²³

Weight: 9-9| Age: 3

T: G M Lyons J: Colin Keane

Forecasts

Keats (4/6), Epona Plays (4/1), Masteroffoxhounds (9/2), Frank Arthur (5/1), Real Force (12/1), Shehreen (12/1)

KEATS has not yet been poetry in motion but has shown enough on his racecourse appearances to suggest he is capable of winning a conditions race of this standard. Only the progressive Napa Valley stopped him winning last time out over 1m2f and it is arguable that this mile trip will suit him much better. Masteroffoxhounds steps back in class having failed to land a blow in a Group 3 contest last time out. He certainly should be capable of winning at this level. The gelding Frank Arthur was a fair winner last time out at Roscommon and likely to enjoy this step up in distance.