UK Horse Racing Tips: Killarney

ASTELIA sets the standard and may be able to make the breakthrough in what appears to be a winnable contest. The Peter Fahey-trained mare was well beaten on the Flat at Listowel last time but has been runner-up eight times over timber, including on her penultimate outing at Kilbeggan. Masterstown Miss hasn't really progressed since finishing second on her debut, but it was a solid enough effort when fourth at Ballinrobe last time and she could be a danger. The Willie Mullins-trained Katie Can't Count might not be a star but she wasn't disgraced when sixth at Downpatrick and is open to improvement.
Prediction : 1st Astelia 2nd Mastertown Miss 3rd Katie Cant Count

COLIN'S FRIEND shaped with promise when fourth on his handicap debut at Galway last month and there should be more to come from the Poet's Word gelding. He was sent off favourite on what was his stable debut and he is still relatively unexposed. Granlahan has been knocking on the door of late. The four-year-old ran a big race at Listowel last time when collared late on by Glin Road Boy and he looks capable of going close again despite a 4lb rise. Kingdom Calling could also be involved.
Prediction : 1st Colins Friend 2nd Granlahan 3rd Kingdom Calling

FIREBRAND was placed on a number of occasions in maiden hurdles before opening his account at Galway last month. The selection was fitted with blinkers for the first time when making all to beat En Or and Alan O'Sullivan again claims a valuable 5lb. Lips Freedom won twice earlier this year including over C&D in July and again advertised his chance when headed close home at Navan last time. Belladaball won a Listed bumper at Fairyhouse in April and is another to consider having scored in good style at Sligo last time, while Le Roi Du Livet also comes here off the back of a maiden hurdle victory at Tramore.
Prediction : 1st Firebrand 2nd Lips Freedom 3rd Belladaball

COOLBOY CHRISTY may get off the mark at the 15th attempt under Rules. The Philip Rothwell-trained gelding has indicated on a number of occasions that a step up to this trip should suit and he was noted keeping on well in the straight over an extended 2m4f at Sligo last time. James The Brave was last seen winning over fences at Wexford in April and reverts to hurdles off a competitive mark, while Blackwater Soldier and Tedworth are others to consider. The latter won at Tramore in April and has been generally consistent since, including when fourth over a similar trip at Clonmel on Thursday.
Prediction : 1st Coolboy Christy 2nd James The Brave 3rd Tedworth

KILBRIN ROCCO won over fences at Clonmel and Tramore earlier this year and could add to his tally following a cracking effort over hurdles at Listowel. The selection was only headed close home on that occasion, and the booking of Jack Kennedy looks significant. Stoneyford Lady looks the chief threat. She won at Thurles last season and has been placed a couple of times this summer including at the Galway Festival. Chosen Shant is something of a Wexford specialist and has won twice there over fences this summer, while others to consider include Presenting Lad and Claude.
Prediction : 1st Kilbrin Rocco 2nd Stoneyford Lady 3rd Chosen Shant

TIME IS A THIEF made most to land a Tramore maiden hurdle prior to going close again at Wexford in May. Narrowly denied by the subsequent dual chase winner Pure Steel on his only start in a point-to-point, Henry De Bromhead's charge is an interesting recruit to fences and gets the nod. Impero is the pick of these over hurdles. The Zoffany gelding hasn't shown the same level of form over fences yet, but cannot be ruled out, while Stede Bonnet switches to fences with a shout having won twice over hurdles earlier this year.
Prediction : 1st Time Is A Thief 2nd Impero 3rd Stede Bonnet

CULLENWAINE won twice over fences for his previous yard and got off the mark for local trainer David O'Sullivan over C&D in July. The selection again showed his liking for this venue when beating all bar the favourite the following month, and the eight-year-old looks worth another chance. Nolans Rocco won over a similar trip at Limerick back in March and should be sharper for last month's reappearance, while Barryroe Madam has won off a similar mark over hurdles and could play a part on her chasing bow. Kilkee Bay and True Harmony are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Cullenwaine 2nd Nolans Rocco 3rd Barryroe Madam