Ruby Walsh: My picks for a killer Sunday in Killarney

13:20 – Sika Signs Maiden Hurdle

Willie has 13 horses going at Killarney on Sunday. The first is Dreamtide, who goes in the 13:20.

He’s only rated 61 off the flat from England, so it’s flat form is no great shakes. It does things nicely at home, but that flat form is a concern I’ll admit.

13:50 – Killarney Towers Hotel Maiden Hurdle

Winter Soldier has been a little disappointing, but is learning to settle better with every run, so could improve. Kismet Hardy, looking through his form, he was second to Kessel Ring, another former flat horse. He’s going well at home, but it will be interesting to see how he handles the softer ground as he tends to prefer it a bit nicer.

Winter Soldier has experience, but his runs have been pretty average. So hopefully Kismet Hardy could do a bit better than that.

14:20 – Killarney Oils Mares Hurdle

We’ll start with Stormy Ireland. She fell at the last in the Triumph Hurdle and unseated the rider at Punchestown when she was beating a retreat. She’s in great form and gets all the allowances. But Killarney’s a different ball game.

She’s been running Grade Ones and they’re difficult. I believe she’s a great filly.

Lagostovegas has plenty of experience, and won a handicap hurdle at the track. Along with Good Thyne Tara, these two have real claims here. Stormy Ireland getting the weight could be the one most open to improvement.

14:55 – Redweld Stables Handicap Hurdle

David Mullins is on Nessun Dorma, who the ground may not suit. He won a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan, and a winner’s hurdle at Gowran Park, but will appreciate better ground than Killarney will serve up this weekend.

Rachael Blackmore goes on True Self, who won at Punchestown. She only had 9st 12lbs at Punchestown, but will take 11st here. She’s only a handy little filly, and the extra weight more so than the penalty could be the problem here.

The other one is Bargy Lady under Danny Mullins, who maybe came back a bit quick from Fairyhouse at Punchestown. But she’s in really good form and I don’t see the drop back in trip being a problem for her.

15:25 – Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase Bunk Off

Bunk Off Early ran twice at Punchestown, and ran much better on the Saturday than the Tuesday, as I suspected he might. He’s been in good order at home and a reproduction of his run at Gowran, when he fell at the second-last en route to probably beating Montalbano and De Plotting Shed, would be good enough.

Having said that, Plavalaguna has improved steadily throughout the year, and will be no pushover. It’s her first run over fences though, while Le Martalin will be a formidable opponent.

16:00 – Killarney Outlook Publications Novice Chase

There’s no doubt Up For Review sets the standard. Although, I was a bit disappointed with him at Punchestown, where I thought he had a good shout in the Novice Handicap Chase. He will have to overcome that, but a repeat of any of his three runs before that should be good enough to win.

17:00 – Jim Ryan Racecourse Services INH Flat Race

Yukon Lil ran in Fairyhouse and was second in a sales race. She looks to have improved since then. Patrick Mullins had to get down to his minimum 11st 2lbs to ride her, so she’ll be right up there.

Best Bets from Killarney

Overall, we have lots of chances here at Killarney. I could pick four of Willie’s here, and three others could go and beat them. That said, you can’t go wrong with Up For Review and Yukon Lil. Outside of that, you’re looking at a ‘maybe’ for Stormy Ireland against Lagostovegas.