Killarney stages a varied seven-race Flat card this evening, beginning with two maidens before moving into a trio of handicaps and closing with two staying contests. The card contains several promising younger horses, a number of well-handicapped older runners and some interesting clashes between recent form and untapped potential.

17:09 – Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden

The opener looks a useful maiden in which Celtic Motif sets the standard. She has the strongest established form and should be well suited by the likely steady-to-even tempo. Her tactical speed could prove decisive if the race develops into a sprint from the home turn.

The main threat is Glittering Gem, who remains lightly raced and has more scope to improve than most of her rivals. She is close enough to the standard-setter on current ability to be taken seriously, particularly if she settles and finishes as strongly as expected.

Taj Crown and Capolinea are others with enough ability to get involved, but both may need a further step forward to trouble the leading pair.

Selection: Celtic Motif
Danger: Glittering Gem
Value angle: Glittering Gem

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17:40 – Hotel Killarney Maiden

Wild Sapphire has the strongest overall profile in the second race. She is more exposed than some of her rivals, but her form is reliable and she should be well positioned in a race likely to be run at an even pace.

Dolly Hello is the most interesting alternative. She returns from an absence but has shown enough ability to suggest she can win a race of this nature. She may be overlooked in the market because of the layoff, yet her form gives her a realistic chance.

The wildcard is Desert Swing, whose lack of racecourse experience makes her difficult to assess. She has the profile of a potentially dangerous debutante and could improve rapidly if the market speaks positively.

Selection: Wild Sapphire
Danger: Dolly Hello
Most dangerous improver: Desert Swing
Value angle: Dolly Hello

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18:10 – Irish Examiner Handicap

This low-grade three-year-old handicap is competitive, but Cause I Like You brings the clearest current winning profile. She stayed on well when second at Bellewstown and appears to be improving from a reduced mark. Her low draw and light weight should help her secure a favourable position.

Concaire has solid handicap form and can be forgiven his latest defeat after meeting interference. His main concern is his tendency to race keenly, particularly now that he returns to a mile.

The most interesting improver is De Songbird. She remains lightly raced, has a useful 7lb claim and may improve significantly on better ground from a more favourable draw.

Tavarua is another with upside, although her wide draw and inconsistent recent form make her a riskier proposition.

Selection: Cause I Like You
Danger: Concaire
Value angle: De Songbird
Overbet risk: Sunrise Angel

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18:40 – Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa Handicap

The strongest recent form belongs to No More Porter, who finished an excellent second in a large-field Curragh handicap. He is best known for his Curragh record, but he has also run well at Killarney and looks the most dependable runner in the field.

Elusive Duke arrives after two good seconds and is one of the more progressive horses in the race. The drop back to a mile is the question, as his recent improvement has come over longer distances, but the booking of Oisin Murphy is a major positive.

Mythical Rock is an appealing value candidate. His latest defeat can be excused after he raced only two days following a promising Limerick second. He had also met trouble in running on his previous start.

The unexposed Marambo is the main wildcard. He makes his turf, seasonal and handicap debut in first-time headgear and may have more improvement available than his rivals.

Selection: No More Porter
Danger: Elusive Duke
Value angle: Mythical Rock
Most dangerous improver: Marambo

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19:10 – Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap

This is one of the most interesting races on the card, with several lightly raced fillies facing more experienced handicappers.

My Girl Grace is narrowly preferred after winning on debut at Leopardstown despite showing signs of inexperience. She demonstrated a good attitude and has been handed a potentially workable opening mark. The move to better ground and a longer trip introduces some uncertainty, but she has considerable upside.

Saga Gaga is a major danger. She improved sharply to win at Gowran and looks likely to appreciate the step up in distance. Oisin Murphy’s booking strengthens her chance, although her opening mark leaves less margin for error than My Girl Grace’s.

Diamond Exchange has the strongest established handicap form, while So Must I could be attractively weighted after a 7lb claim. She returns to handicap company after contesting a Listed race and may represent the best value.

Spanish Temptress is highly respected after her recent win, but this is a significant step up in distance and she must carry top weight.

Selection: My Girl Grace
Danger: Saga Gaga
Value angle: So Must I
Overbet risk: Spanish Temptress

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19:40 – Rose Hotel Handicap

The staying handicap features an intriguing clash between proven class and current form.

Tribal Star has competed in stronger races than this and should appreciate dropping in grade. His third in the Chester Plate is particularly strong form, and he was not disgraced in the Northumberland Plate. He is the most reliable option on class and stamina.

Gaoth Chuil may be the best-handicapped runner. She returned to the Flat with an impressive Leopardstown win and has useful jumps form that suggests her Flat mark could underestimate her. She travels strongly and should be comfortable over this distance.

Harry’s Legacy is another with a major chance if his latest poor run is ignored. His previous course-and-distance second gives him one of the most relevant form lines in the race.

Satono Chevalier is in outstanding form after winning three of his last four starts, but the jump to 2m1f is a significant stamina test. He may be popular because of his recent sequence and the booking of Oisin Murphy, but he could be vulnerable at a short price.

Selection: Gaoth Chuil
Danger: Tribal Star
Value angle: Harry’s Legacy
Overbet risk: Satono Chevalier

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20:10 – Thorn Plant Hire Qualified Riders Maiden

The finale appears to revolve around Eagle Fang, who brings the strongest recent Flat form and comfortably the best overall level of ability. He was narrowly beaten by Gaoth Chuil at Leopardstown and finished well clear of the remainder. His high-class hurdles form also confirms his stamina and fitness.

Arch Empire is the most obvious danger. He finished third in this race last year and possesses the best established Flat rating among Eagle Fang’s rivals. Recent hurdle form has been less convincing, but a return to this course and distance may revive him.

Sunny South West is the unexposed threat. He is a dual bumper winner and maiden-hurdle winner with relatively few miles on the clock. Derek O’Connor’s booking is notable, although he returns from a five-month absence.

For each-way players, Certamen is interesting after running much better than his odds suggested when sixth behind Eagle Fang at Leopardstown.

Selection: Eagle Fang
Danger: Arch Empire
Most dangerous improver: Sunny South West
Value angle: Certamen

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Best bets on the card

Best win bet: Eagle Fang – 20:10
He has the clearest form advantage of any runner on the card.

Best handicap bet: Cause I Like You – 18:10
She arrives in improving form and is well positioned from a low draw.

Best value bet: So Must I – 19:10
She is lightly weighted after the rider’s claim and returns to more suitable company.

Best each-way outsider: Harry’s Legacy – 19:40
His course-and-distance form gives him a strong chance of bouncing back.

Most interesting improver: My Girl Grace – 19:10
Her debut win suggested she could be considerably better than her opening mark.

Suggested selections

17:09 – Celtic Motif
17:40 – Wild Sapphire
18:10 – Cause I Like You
18:40 – No More Porter
19:10 – My Girl Grace
19:40 – Gaoth Chuil
20:10 – Eagle Fang