Killarney preview There are eight races to enjoy at Killarney with much focus likely to centre on the Grade B Ladbrokes Ireland Handicap Hurdle. Not surprisingly given the 50,000 euros prize fund, this is a very well-contested heat, with a full field of 18, plus three reserves, declared. JP McManus has four contenders for the two-mile-one-furlong event. His green and gold silks have been carried to victory here twice in the last five renewals by Princeton Plains (2011) and Waxies Dargle (2015). Plinth tops the weights for McManus, and the Aidan O'Brien-trained Montjeu gelding needs to be considered, given that he finished second and third in previous ventures over timber at this venue. He would probably ideally prefer further, and McManus' retained rider Barry Geraghty has looked elsewhere, choosing to partner A Great View. The five-year-old is handled by Denis Cullen and he has done nicely with the well-related son of Kayf Tara, despite a reverse at odds-on at Limerick at the start of last month. A Great View has to contend with better ground here, but is one of many that need consideration, with Pyromaniac also looking strong. Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy are both involved in the centrepiece. Elliott has Tempo Mac and The Plan Man in the mix, while Kennedy rides bottom-weight Time For Mabel for Edward O'Grady. The pair combine with Missy Tata in the Jeremy O'Neill Memorial Mares Hurdle earlier. Simon Munir and Isaac Souede's Punchestown Festival victor will likely take a deal of beating. Racegoers at the supremely picturesque Killarney could see a good chaser of the future when Sizing Tennessee and Sam Red clash in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase at 4.15. Thirty five minutes later in the Malton Novice Chase, Sandymount Duke is another classy type to now have his attentions turned to the larger obstacles.
