Galway and Leopardstown in Ireland

Today is a public holiday in Ireland, and there are two meetings, a jumps card at Galway and a strong flat card at Leopardstown, including the Group Three Killavullen Stakes for 2yo´s over 7 furlongs at 14.25. Thunder Ridge (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) and Keredari (John Oxx/ Mick Kinane) both won their maidens very easily and are stepping up in class, while Aidan O´Brien fields 3 runners, with stable jockey Johnny Murtagh on Utrillo. Aidan O´Brien cleary wants to win the 2yo maiden half an hour later, as he has entered five here; Murtagh rides Don Carlos, Seamus Heffernan partners Amber Grey, while the well-bred debutant Chief Storm Eagle (Sean Levey) could be an interesting dark horse. Don Carlos is Grman-bred as is Dermot Weld´s Simon Bolivar (Smullen) whp runs in the 2yo handicap at 15.25. Grace O´Malley could be another winner for the Weld /Smullen team in the listed race at 16.55; she was last seen finishing 4th in the Irish Oaks. Haralan (Oxx/ Kinane) is the obvious dang er. At Galway some interesting performers make their seasonal debuts, notably the smart bumper Luska Lad (JJ Hanlon/ Ruby Walsh) in the 5yo maiden hurdle at 14.35 and Last Draw (Charlie Swan/ David Casey) in the novice hurdle half an hour later. Dermot Weld could also be on the scorecard here with Natural High (Robbie McNamara) in the bumper at 16.05.