Killarney preview The third day of Killarney's July Festival takes place on Wednesday with a seven-race card featuring Flat and jumping action. Proceedings get under way with the John Buckley Auctioneers Maiden over a mile and six furlongs and several National Hunt winners clash with Aidan O'Brien's Tigris River, who was fourth to Fascinating Rock at Leopardstown in March. O'Brien has won this race in five of the last six years. Philip Fenton's Desertmore Stream reverts to the Flat after a handicap hurdle victory in Punchestown last month. The County Tipperary-based trainer said: "He's in good form and the ground should suit. I think he should have the speed for a mile and six on the Flat. He's had a smooth run since his win in Punchestown. We'll be looking at the Galway Hurdle next." Willie Mullins saddles Pink Hat, who has had a lucrative summer winning hurdle races in Cork and Kilbeggan before running second to Gambling Girl in a Leopardstown maiden over this trip. Pat Smullen gets the leg-up. Jessica Harrington's Macnicholson returns from a short break, but is on a hat-trick after winning in maiden hurdle and handicap hurdle company at Kilbeggan and Punchestown respectively. Harrington's Port Merrion goes in the mile handicap and will be an attractive proposition for many, being dropped 2lb and back at the trip he ran second to Princess Tamay over. The most valuable race is the Larkins Pub & Restaurant Handicap Hurdle, and punters are in for some lengthy form study as five last-time-out winners take part. Gordon Elliott, who had a four-timer in Downpatrick on Monday, runs Quarton, who hacked up in Bellewstown but has a 10lb rise in the weights to deal with this time. Elliott also has a leading chance with Midnight Game in the two-mile-one-furlong Irish Examiner Beginners Chase as Brian O'Connell takes the ride on the seven-year-old, who has finished second in each of his last three starts. Sizing Sahara and Un Beau Roman look the dangers on their debuts over the bigger obstacles. The Baler has been found a good opportunity in the Ladbrokes Handicap Chase as Philip Dempsey's charge drops back in trip having enjoyed success on fast ground in a two-mile-seven-furlong Downpatrick handicap chase. Baby Whizz, in the JP McManus colours, may show some improvement for the fitting of first-time blinkers in this extended two-mile-four contest. Dance With Another and Tarziyna carry identical ratings of 85 into the filles' handicap over a mile and three furlongs. Hannah's Magic receives 11lb from the pair and has been placed in her last three outings. The betting should revolve around Harrington's Blue Owen and David Christie's McLaren Vale in the ladies' bumper. Blue Owen was second to Dubh Eile at Gowran Park, while McLaren Vale ran third to Totally Dominant in Bellewstown on what was his first bumper run after 11 point-to-point appearances.
