UK Horse Racing Tips: Killarney

BENVENUTO CELLINI made a pleasing start when runner-up to odds-on stablemate Dorset over 7f at the Curragh on Irish Derby weekend. The son of Frankel certainly wasn't friendless in the market and can be expected to build on that promising debut. Ipanema Beach has kept good company on all three outings in maidens won by smart Ballydoyle colts and should appreciate this step up in trip. Riding arrangements suggest Limestone, a half-brother to Irish Derby runner-up Lone Eagle, is preferred of Joseph O'Brien's pair. Paddy Twomey introduces Bond, who cost 220,000gns at the Craven Breeze-Up Sale.
Prediction : 1st Benvenuto Cellini 2nd Ipanema Beach 3rd Bond

TRIBAL NATION, a creditable sixth in the Britannia at Royal Ascot last time, won a Galway maiden on heavy ground last autumn and appears to have been found a good opportunity to add to his tally having kept good company in three outings on a sounder surface this season. Rion Rubette showed much improved form when recording a wide-margin win over 7f at Limerick last month and the handicapper reacted by raising her 18lb. It will be interesting to see if she can back up that effort. Barbizon showed some promise on debut at the Curragh and should progress.
Prediction : 1st Tribal Nation 2nd Rion Rubette 3rd Barbizon

VEGA'S MUSE is steadily improving and appears weighted to go close. The Jessica Harrington-trained filly and Faoladh were only separated by half a length when filling the places behind Refreshment over this trip at Leopardstown last month and the form of that race has worked out very well since. The selection now meets subsequent winner Faoladh on 8lb better terms. Beautiful Affair hasn't enjoyed a clear run on her latest two starts, while others to consider include Far From Dandy and Dahlia Noir. Naoi has been placed on all three maiden appearances and is bred to appreciate this step up to a mile.
Prediction : 1st Vegas Muse 2nd Naoi 3rd Beautiful Affair

ALPHA CAPTURE likes to be held up for a late run and scored here 12 months ago. Those tactics rely on some good fortune and he didn't have the clearest of runs when a very promising second to Tachos on reappearance at Leopardstown last month. Amemri is bidding for a 10th career win and recorded a fifth consecutive victory when successful over this distance at Limerick last time, while Extensio has also been a fine servant to connections but is likely to find this trip too sharp on his reappearance. Nakasero and Martinelli are another two C&D winners to consider towards the bottom of the handicap.
Prediction : 1st Alpha Capture 2nd Amemri 3rd Nakasero

A staying-on sixth on her debut at the Curragh last month, PLAZA ATHENEE is worth siding with here. John Joseph Murphy likes to target this particular meeting and the daughter of Sir Percy shaped well enough on her introduction to suggest she can improve further. Expected to appreciate this step up in trip, the fact that Colin Keane has stayed loyal is also noteworthy. In a race where those with more experience look somewhat limited, it can pay to side with the once-raced filly. With an official rating of 79, Matrice is probably good enough to win a country maiden at some stage. Newcomer Stellar Quality holds an Irish Oaks entry for Jessica Harrington.
Prediction : 1st Plaza Athenee 2nd Matrice 3rd Stellar Quality

Providing that he gets away on terms, the Joseph O'Brien-trained DEFIANTLY can register a first career victory. After losing many lengths at the start on his racecourse debut at Leopardstown, the gelding did remarkably well to be beaten less than a length at the finish. While he will have to avoid a repeat of those antics now, the son of Kameko looks the most likely winner. Little Miss P just about sets the standard of those with more experience. If improving for the additional trip, the Kodi Bear filly should make her presence felt. Edge Of Seventeen is another with genuine prospects in a competitive maiden.
Prediction : 1st Defiantly 2nd Little Miss P 3rd Edge Of Seventeen

Top-weight MAGNOLIA DRIVE should be good enough to get off the mark over this trip. Runner-up at Ballinrobe on her penultimate start, the Joseph O'Brien-trained filly was again doing her best work at the finish when fourth at Tipperary last time. Bred to want a test of stamina, the daughter of Gleneagles will have plenty of time to get organised up this long straight. First-time cheekpieces should also aid her cause. On collateral form, the Andy Slattery-trained Whats New shouldn't be too far away from the selection. His trainer continues to send out winners under both codes. Handicap debutant Oranzona needs to improve, but could be capable of stepping up on her maiden runs.
Prediction : 1st Magnolia Drive 2nd Whats New 3rd Oranzona