4.50 Killarney – O’Donoghue Ring Collection Handicap Chase (Listed, 2m4f180y, Good, €45,000)

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Pace & Draw Angles:
Likely an honest to strong gallop with several who go forward (Birdie Or Bust, Gaelic Arc, The Folkes Tiara, Solitary Man). Hold-up types such as Watch The Weather and Mr Saxobeat will be played late. Killarney is a fair, galloping track but front-runners can be hard to peg back if jumping well.


Strongest Contenders

Sea Music (137) – Proven / Progressive

  • Galway Plate fifth (RPR 131) then good fourth dropped to 2m2f.
  • Notebook says 2m4f is his best trip.
  • Stays well, improving profile for Emmet Mullins.
  • Major player if settling into rhythm.

Watch The Weather (134) – Progressive

  • Won well at Wexford and Punchestown last backend, returned with solid runs this summer.
  • Needs to be held up and delivered late – pace setup looks ideal.
  • Handles good ground and trip suits.

Coming Up Easy (132) – Promising

  • Two recent wins (Cork & Limerick) over shorter trips, jumped superbly in both.
  • Lightly raced chaser, trainer excels with improvers at this meeting.
  • Up in class but likely more to come.

Birdie Or Bust (131) – Promising

  • Mare on the up, easy Killarney chase win (RPR 141).
  • Galway Grade 3 fourth last time, trip is spot-on.
  • May not want to get into a pace war but receives mares’ allowance which makes her dangerous.

Main Dangers

Dreal Deal (130)

  • Back to life for new trainer, narrow Killarney winner last time.
  • Quirky but well-handicapped if holding form.
  • Risk/reward type.

Solitary Man (138)

  • Track specialist – four-time Killarney winner.
  • Last time fourth here solid enough, 7lb claimer offsets weight.
  • Trip borderline sharp but course record makes him a danger.

The Folkes Tiara (134)

  • Strong Leopardstown runner-up at Christmas, useful on sound surface.
  • Well-handicapped but inconsistent; needs a revival.

Interesting Outsiders

Mr Saxobeat (117) – Inconsistent but runner-up twice to Watch The Weather; on a featherweight and if pace collapses, he could stay on into the frame.

Dutch Schultz (125) – Consistent but creeping up the weights, more likely a place than win.

Mousey Brown (129) – Tough mare, stays well, better at 2m4f+; needs a career best in this company.


Suitability Scores (/10)

  • Sea Music – 8/10 (ideal trip, Mullins factor)
  • Watch The Weather – 8/10 (pace to suit, ground fine)
  • Coming Up Easy – 7.5/10 (progressive, but big class rise)
  • Birdie Or Bust – 7.5/10 (unexposed mare, receives allowance)
  • Solitary Man – 7/10 (track horse, but not as strong away)
  • Dreal Deal – 6.5/10 (revived, but risky)
  • The Folkes Tiara – 6.5/10 (well-treated, inconsistent)
  • Mr Saxobeat – 6/10 (low weight, but unreliable)
  • Dutch Schultz – 6/10 (consistent, place claims)
  • Mousey Brown – 5.5/10 (game mare, but needs more)
  • Riaan – 5/10 (regressive since spring, not trusted)
  • Visionarian – 4.5/10 (regressive, high in weights)
  • Mars Harper – 4.5/10 (out of form, exposed)
  • Gaelic Arc – 4.5/10 (well held in Galway Plate, vulnerable)
  • She’s A Fine Wine – 4/10 (improver, but looks short of Listed level)

Private Tissue Odds (Race looks very open)

  • Sea Music 5/1
  • Watch The Weather 11/2
  • Coming Up Easy 7/1
  • Birdie Or Bust 8/1
  • Solitary Man 10/1
  • Dreal Deal 10/1
  • The Folkes Tiara 12/1
  • Others 14/1+

Summary & Smart Play

This Listed handicap has depth but a few stand out as being on the up. Sea Music appeals most, back to his optimal trip after running well in a hot Galway Plate. Watch The Weather is the late runner to fear most if the gallop collapses. Coming Up Easy and Birdie Or Bust are the progressive types stepping into the big leagues – both respected.

Smart Play:

  • Win Bet – Sea Music (best-handicapped, perfect setup)
  • Each-Way Saver – Watch The Weather (strong finisher, well weighted)

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