Killarney - Sat 22 Aug 2026
REACHING HIGH is a fascinating runner here on his jumping debut. He ran a big race on his first start for Willie Mullins last year before a decent effort at Royal Ascot. The Sea The Stars gelding disappointed on his return in the same race, the Ascot Stakes, this term but a change of scenery may do him good now and if he can transfer his Flat ability to hurdles he's a smart prospect. Airds Moss was an impressive bumper winner here back in May and has jumping experience, having run a couple of point-to-points. He should be a big player. Minella Hollow is only rated 112 after three hurdle runs and may be vulnerable to a classier sort.
MOLTO AMICHI might be worth a shot here on his return to hurdling. The Caravaggio gelding gained an overdue win on the Flat here last month and was a bit too free when a beaten favourite at Galway last time. He made one outing over hurdles last year and would have finished third to Ace Brannigan at Tipperary in October but for a tired fall at the last. Sea Eagle ran a solid race when runner-up at Wexford last time, behind Rosenborg, and he's entitled to play a big part now. Ealu Tapa was an impressive bumper winner at Ballinrobe last month and is also respected on his jumping bow.
UPTAURINTOP has been knocking on the door recently and the six-year-old has every chance of finally getting off the mark at the 10th attempt over timber. Pure Logic has plenty of placed form to advertise her chance and gets a first-time tongue strap, while Deise Crystal is a half-brother to a winning stayer and there could be more to come from him over this trip.
JAZZY MATTY brings strong festival form to the contest and has run well off a break before. Back in the spring, he was pipped by a nose in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham and then was a staying-on fifth in a valuable handicap hurdle at Aintree. Top-weight Duke Silver was a creditable third at the Punchestown Festival which brings him into contention. Londonofficecallin has the ability to land a blow and is a notable two from four at this track. Rebel Budz routed the field by 14 lengths in a Cork maiden hurdle in January so has to enter calculations, while Jupiter Du Gite was only pipped by a nose over a shorter trip here last month.
Galway Hurdle hero Putapoundinthejar is a fascinating recruit to the chasing ranks. He has been in flying form over flights as that Galway victory followed up on a good pot at Bellewstown, so it looks significant that connections are sending him over fences. BOWENSONFIRE, who reached a peak mark of 153 over hurdles, did good late work in second on chasing bow at Galway and looks to have a bright future in this sphere. He is taken to make the most of that experience. Daddy Long Legs is another more than useful hurdler encountering the bigger obstacles for the first time, while Kilgame didn't get past the second fence at Wexford but there is more to come from him.
BUTCH CASSIDY was an easy winner of a novice chase over a slightly shorter trip at this track in May when enjoying himself out in front. He really appreciated the better ground and is due to encounter it again, so could take a bit of catching if the same tactics are deployed. Uncle Pat was last seen finishing in mid-division in the Midlands National at Kilbeggan. Prior to that, he finished strongly to win by a wide margin over further in Punchestown, so his chance is respected. His stablemate, Yoradreamer, might appreciate this smaller field after finishing unplaced in the hurly burly of the Galway Blazers in Ballybrit.
SOLITARY MAN showed what he is capable of over fences when landing the Midlands National at Kilbeggan last month. He can be considered a Killarney specialist as five of his seven victories under Rules have been at the Co Kerry track. He receives a stone from the 152-rated Senecia, which is a hefty allowance at a track he loves. The nine-year-old certainly sets the standard and warrants automatic respect given his rating. He made all to land a Grade 3 chase over a slightly shorter trip at this venue in May and was still in contention when unseating in the Galway Plate in July. Jalila Moriviere and Rexem could also have a say.
Teofil created a good impression in his first two races and is a big player. Jim Bolger's charge came home well to get up for second on debut at Punchestown and he was tough in the closing stages in scoring by a neck at Galway, despite the saddle slipping. EMERGENCY MAN ran a lovely opening race in second at this track and the winner franked the form in good style at Galway. He receives a stone from Teofill with his jockey's claim factored in, which may tilt things his way. Farney Bridge may have been 33/1 for a ladies' bumper at this track, but he proved to be a decisive winner and had a subsequent bumper winner behind him in fifth.
This could be dominated by a pair of very useful Flat handicappers. Kingstonian was an unlucky loser in a Chester Plate which has worked out and ran well over an inadequate 12f at Galway last time. He is respected but narrow preference is REACHING HIGH who was too bad to be true when fancied at Royal Ascot last time. However it's likely he needed that first outing of the year as he has had some issues and he can continue his yard's excellent record in this contest. The consistent Minella Hollow sets the standard on hurdles form and can also give a good account.
Useful Flat handicapper GOLDEN HANDSHAKE can make amends for an unlucky spill on his hurdling debut where he looked set for a place at least. This is a much easier contest and he can get the better of Sea Eagle who suffered an unfortunate fall himself when looking a threat on his penultimate start. He held his form in defeat next time and can fill the places here with Minella Moon Shine who finished runner up on debut before failing to stay 2 1/2m last time.
BALLINVASAS BEST caught the eye on her last completed start where she finished well under tender handling over what looked an inadequate 2m. She didn't get far next time when upped in trip but can make amends here off what looks a generous mark judged on her maiden form. Pure Logic returned to form when placed over 2 1/2m and that run is worth marking up as he did best of those coming from off the pace. In a first time tongue tie he looks the chief threat ahead of Maxicourt who has been running well of late but is vulnerable to a stronger stayer.
This can go to the least exposed in the line up in REBEL BUDZ. The point winner landed a maiden in decisive fashion when last seen in the winter and should have more to offer over staying trips off what looks a lenient mark. Useful dual purpose performer Londonofficecallin has been in good form over fences recently and is on a workable mark back over hurdles. His top yard is back among the winners after a quiet spell so he should throw down a big challenge. Jupiter Du Gite returned to form over slightly shorter here last time and is entitled to come on for that run. He's dangerously well treated on his old UK form and should also be bang there.
Daddy Long Legs was the best of these over hurdles placing at the top level at the DRF last year. He will be suited by the fast ground on his chase debut but he isn't bred for this discipline so BOWENSONFIRE is preferred. He impressed with his jumping on his chase debut but was given far too much to do in a strong contest and can make amends here. The useful handicap hurdler will have no issue with the drop back in trip and can defeat Galway Hurdle winner Putapoundinthejar whose run style may not be ideal for this test.
This looks a match race between the top pair Uncle Pat and BUTCH CASSIDY. The former sets the standard on his Punchestown victory but he has had some jumping issues and has to give weight to his main rival. Henry De Bromhead's gelding impressed with his jumping over C&D in the spring benefitting from a positive ride and he's open to further improvement. If getting into a rhythm he could be tough to peg back. Emily Love looks the biggest danger to the pair on form getting weight as the only mare in the field but she does have some big stamina concerns having failed to stay 3m last time.
JALILA MORIVIERE could be tough to catch if resuming positive tactics here. She looks on a dangerous mark on her novice efforts and has been in fine form in high end handicaps recently. This includes the Galway Plate where she was just outstayed late having travelled well but she can make amends dropped back in distance. Mousey Brown hasn't won in a while but she's been admirably consistent in both jumping disciplines for some time and arrives 4lb lower than when running well in this last year. She can chase the selection home ahead of the progressive She's A Fine Wine whose latest Galway hurdles run is worth marking up as she challenged early off a strong pace.
EMERGENCY MAN's debut runner up effort is worth marking up as he was left with too much to do having been forced to switch. With that form franked at Galway since he's fancied to go a place better at the expense of Teofil who built on a promising debut run with a win at Ballybrit. He's well bred for a Flat yard and should have more to offer in this discipline. The form of Rokanako's win has had knocks but a repeat of that effort should be enough to fill the places.
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