There are 14 races between Killarney and Dundalk for punters to get their teeth into this evening, and while half of them are handicaps, the nap is given to Family Favourite in Killarney's Lakes Maiden.
Considering the current weather the ground forecast of "yielding" may be a trifle optimistic for the start of the Co Kerry track's fourday festival, but that should present few problems for the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt.
As a son of Sadler's Wells, Family Favourite should relish a dig in the ground and should improve significantly for his debut third to River Canyon at Tipperary last month. River Canyon's trainer Dermot Weld runs Raghdan but, on breeding, this one may not like the ground as much as the selection.
Merry Gale brings a degree of quality to proceedings in the Killarney Outlet Chase, and despite the presence of the decent Mr Baxter Basics and Greenflag Princess, the ratings suggest Merry Gale should win this at his ease.
The following flat handicap sees the remarkable Kate Emily go for five wins in a row, and even with a 5lb penalty for winning at Wexford last Wednesday she cannot be discounted.
A slightly better value bet today, however, may be Female Lead, who disappointed at Tipperary on Thursday but whose best form sees her reasonably in here.
At Dundalk, John Oxx and John Murtagh can team up for a double with Mardani in the Drumcar Maiden and Katiyar in the Ladbroke Handicap. Noel Meade runs Dannys Joy and Olivers Island in the opening maiden hurdle, and preference is for the latter, who will be ridden by Barry Geraghty. The Co Meath trainer may also win the bumper with Ohio.
