Hamley bidding for hat-trick on third day of July festival

5.55 Killarney
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap | 3yo+ | 1m3f | ATR

A field of nine, all of them winners this year, will go to post for the opening race on day three of the Killarney July festival, with top weight, Hamley, chasing a hat-trick.

Successful over 1m1f at Tipperary and over 1m2f at the Curragh, the Peter Fahey-trained four-year-old has gone up a total of 12lb for her two wins and will be tackling the distance for the first time.

Fahey said: "I'm very happy with her. She's in great form and appears to be thriving on her racing. It's a competitive handicap and she's gone up six lengths for her last win but we're looking forward to a good run."

Magen's Moon, winner of a maiden at Dundalk in January, represents John Oxx who said: "Bar one run she has been running well since winning her maiden. She gets the trip and should be competitive off her mark, so we're hopeful."

Third behind Wild Irish Rose, a rival again today, over 1m4f at Fairyhouse on her most recent start, Magen's Moon is again the mount of 7lb claimer Sean Davis.

Gavin Cromwell is expecting a big run from his dual winner Pandagreen. "I thought she was very unlucky in running when fourth at Down Royal last time when she ran into serious bother inside the last couple of furlongs.

"She came out of the race well. She'll love the ground and while the trip will be new, I've no concerns on that score."

Adrian Keatley, trainer of Elusive Duchess, the least experienced in the line-up and the only one in the race running in a handicap for the first time, expects the step up in trip will suit the twice-raced daughter of Elusive Pimpernel.

He said: "She won her maiden over a mile and I thought she was a bit unlucky not to have finished closer [than fifth] in a Listed race over 1m2f at Naas on her second start. She's in good order and we're looking forward to a good run. The step up in distance shouldn't be a problem."

Panstarr, a decisive winner of a 1m2f maiden at Roscommon nine days ago, represents Jim Bolger while Byron Beauty, at nine the old lady of the party, represents Harry Rogers.