It may not be a Group One at Belmont or Doncaster but today's Killavullan Stakes is a Group Three for two-year-olds and the magic combination in such circumstances all season has been to rely on Aidan O'Brien.
The Ballydoyle trainer, fresh from a transatlantic top-flight double, runs two in the seven-furlong race with Mick Kinane on the six-length Tipperary winner Temple Of Artemis. It is unlikely to count among the absolute top flight at Ballydoyle, but since O'Brien's Group One tally for the year now equals Bob Baffert's world record of 22 it's hardly surprising.
Miss Beabea comes here on the back of a busy and successful season and boasts a 106 rating. Along with the Curragh winner, Splanc, she looks the main danger to the likely favourite who looks to be still on the upgrade and who should continue the stable's winning streak.
Kinane and O'Brien also look to have the goods for the mile maiden with the $2 million newcomer Sorcerous, but despite running three in the Listed Trigo Stakes, the Ballydoyle team could miss out to last year's winner Jammaal.
Pat Smullen's championship hopes were boosted hugely by his 1,652 to 1 four-timer at Leopardstown on Saturday and as well as Jammaal he will fancy his chances of improving again on his 80 winners with the Sadler's Wells newcomer Literary Lover.
The day's other fixture at Galway features the local hero Half Barrell who makes his first start since winning at the festival back in August. Val O'Brien's horse has a fine record on testing conditions around Ballybrit and is preferred to Dromhale Lady .
The Irish Grand National hero Davids Lad reverts to the smaller obstacles as he bids for a fifth success in a row and considering his last chase win at Roscommon came off a mark of 147, he looks hard to beat here.
Barry Geraghty and Jessica Harrington had a surprise reverse with Moscow Flyer's fall last week but the partnership looks the one to be on in the first two races. They won the novice hurdle with Carmelite last year and Soltero's form looks good for a repeat while Intelligent, who goes in the maiden hurdle, ran a promising fifth in a decent bumper at Tipperary.
