The Michael O'Callaghan-trained Military Angel beating Devonshire at Roscommon last year© Photo Healy Racing
A mixed seven-race card gets the Killarney July Festival under way on Monday, with an interesting field declared for the feature Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cairn Rouge Stakes. Military Angel returns to Listed level after her good second in a handicap at the Curragh last month, where she just failed to reel in Colour Blue.
Still quite lightly raced, Michael O'Callaghan's three-year-old has plenty of ability and might be the one to beat if things fall right for her.
Aidan O'Brien 's Easter bids to give her trainer back-to-back wins in the extended mile event after Palace 12 months ago, and she has obvious claims on her third to stablemate Outstanding in the Oaks Trial at Naas. Akira and Sparkle Factor appear to be the pick of the older division. Bay Hill has winning form at Killarney and will be a popular pick to defy top-weight in the Dermot O'Leary Memorial Handicap for Christy Roche and Fran Berry.
He was last seen making all at Listowel in May on heavy ground, but he handles a better surface well.
Jim Bolger 's Brontide sets the standard in the opening Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Median Auction Race after his two seconds to date, most recently over six furlongs at Naas.
Having been second to the useful Tonkinese over seven furlongs on debut, he looks certain to appreciate the first try at a mile.
O'Brien's Zig Zag can be expected to come forward from his initial run behind the smart-looking Sanus Per Aquam at the Curragh, with a similar comment applying to Kevin Prendergast's Mogaz who was sixth to Air Vice Marshal at Gowran first time up. Hurricane Twister Kodiac's Back and Enough Is Enough all struck at the most recent time of asking and now lock horns in the O'Keeffe's Marquee Hire Rathmore Handicap.
The jumping action commences with the John Buckley Auctioneers Mares Maiden Hurdle, in which Davids Jewel bids for compensation following a narrow defeat when favourite at Gowran.
Limerick runner-up Claiming Benefits strives to go one better in the Irish Examiner Handicap Hurdle while, in the Killarney Racegoers Club Mares Flat Race, Limerick scorer Rosshaven Lady takes on fellow last-start winners Ballinderry Moth and Little Mitch
