The Aidan O’Brien-trained Keats should cope well enough with a drop in trip to land the Dawn Milk Run Race, which opens today’s seven-race flat card in Killarney.
A son of Galileo, Keats defeated subsequent Roscommon winner and rival again Frank Arthur, on his seasonal debut at Gowran Park last month.
And he stepped-up to run a cracker in a mile and a quarter conditions event at the Curragh last time, making the running and battling well when headed, going down by three-quarters of a length to better-fancied stable-companion Napa Valley.
In the hope Wayne Lordan lets Keats bowl along in front over this extended mile, I expect him to confirm form with Frank Arthur and prove tough to beat in a closely-knit affair. Masteroffoxhounds, Real Force and Shehreen all have claims on official ratings. But I’ll stick with the Ballydoyle colt, Keats.
Punters face four tough handicaps on the Killarney card, which also includes divisions of the MC Construction Maiden for amateur riders.
Three-time Grade 1-winning hurdler Supasundae missed an intended hurdle engagement at Kilbeggan on Friday and sets a decent standard, with Finny Maguire in the saddle, in the finale.
In the first division, course specialist Peregrine Run, successful over fences on the track last week and boasting a record of five wins from seven outings at Killarney, looks the one to beat and might give his rider Sean Perry a first win in the saddle.
Peter O'Hehir's tips for Killarney:
4.25 Keats (Nap)
4.55 Sharp Focus
5.25 Koybig
5.55 Reddiac
6.25 Haparanda
6.55 Peregrine Run
7.25 Supasundae
Peter O’Hehir's tips for Downpatrick:
1.00 Etincelle Lioterie
1.30 Persian Lion
2.00 Inishbel
2.30 Soldiers Hill
3.00 Mary Of De Sorrows
3.30 Miraculum
4.00 Curlew Hill
