Hometown hero Oisín Murphy the star attraction at Killarney
HOMEWARD BOUND: Jockey Oisin Murphy during The Debenhams July Festival at Newmarket racecourse. Pic: Joe Giddens/PA Wire.
Returning hero Oisín Murphy is the star attraction on Tuesday’s Killarney card and the five-time champion Flat jockey of Britain looks certain to realise what he last week described as “a lifetime dream” by riding a winner on his debut at his hometown track.
His most obvious chance comes in the opening race, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden, where Celtic Motif, back at Joseph O’Brien’s after a spell in America, should prove tough to beat.
In the unlikely event of Celtic Motif getting turned over, Murphy should still bag a winner or two. Perhaps his best chance besides Celtic Motif is Elusive Duke in the Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa Handicap.
The Mark Molloy-trained gelding finds winning difficult — his sole success in 14 career starts came at Leopardstown last summer — but rarely runs a bad race.
Seventh at Leopardstown on his seasonal reappearance at the start of last month, he has since finished second twice, firstly at Gowran Park and more recently at Naas.
With the assistance of Murphy, he may be able to get the job done this time.
Murphy partners Satono Chevalier in the Rose Hotel Handicap and the Michael Flannery-trained eight-year-old might be able to get the better of the Ted Walsh-trained Gaoth Chuil.
Successful at Navan in March on his final start for Aidan Melia, Satono Chevalier began life at Flannery’s by winning at Ballinrobe in May.
Down the field at Gowran Park at the start of last month, he quickly got back to winning ways when scoring at Limerick last time out.
Both of his wins for Flannery came over a mile and a half so stepping up to two miles for only the second time will test his stamina but, if he stays, he could take a bit of stopping.
Cause I Like You can make the breakthrough in the Irish Examiner Handicap.
The Michael Mulvany-trained filly is winless in 13 starts but comes here in decent form having started this month by finishing second in a Bellewstown handicap.
In receipt of weight from her 13 rivals, this might be the day she gets her head in front.
Tuesday’s jumps action comes from Downpatrick where it could be a good day for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennnedy.
The opening contest on the seven-race card, the ITBA Mares Maiden Hurdle, looks a good opportunity for Cool Native to get off the mark while San Hilario, who found one too good on five occasions last season, can go one place better in the Plus 2 Print Remembering Tony Oakes MBE Maiden Hurdle.
5.09 Celtic Motif
5.40 Dolly Hello
6.10 Cause I Like You
6.40 Elusive Duke (Nap)
7.10 My Girl Grace
7.40 Satono Chevalier (NB)
8.10 Eagle Fang
5.09 Glittering Gem
5.40 Wild Sapphire
6.10 Concaire
6.40 No More Porter
7.10 Jeaniemacaroney
7.40 Gaoth Chuil
8.10 Arch Empire
2.07 Cool Native
2.37 Luker's Tipple
3.07 Bryson
3.37 San Hilario
4.12 Surfin Usa
4.47 Nakassama
5.19 Rememberwhat
2.07 Fastnet Crystal
2.37 Liceo
3.07 Sneddy Eddie
3.37 Martin Plage
4.12 Lemmy Caution
4.47 Joya Del Mar
5.19 Payslip.
