The one race you do not want to miss at Killarney on Tuesday

7.50 KillarneyLaurels Handicap Hurdle | 2m7f | 4yo+ | RTV

Why is it interesting?

As the most valuable race on the card for day two of the Killarney July festival, this staying handicap hurdle is well contested and sees some smart chasers blow away the cobwebs ahead of the Tote-backed €300,000 Galway Plate at the end of the month.

Perhaps the most interesting Galway hopeful sharpening up at the Kerry venue is the Liam Cusack-trained Snugsborough Benny, rated 121 over hurdles which is 23lb lower than his chase mark.

Absent since finishing fourth in the Irish Grand National, he lacks a recent outing but commands respect.

In contrast, Denis Hogan's Macgiloney will not be found wanting for fitness, making his seventh start since the end of March.

Macgiloney continues his busy spell at Killarney on TuesdayCredit: Patrick McCann

A 12lb rise for landing a Bellewstown conditions hurdle will put his ability to the test, while John McConnell's Roi De Dubai and the James Motherway-trained Goodnightngodbless also arrive here on the back of recent wins.

The Gordon Elliott-trained pair of A Toi Phil and Ball D'Arc top the weights in a bid to cement their Ballybrit credentials. Similar to Snugsborough Benny, both have hurdle marks lower than their chase ratings but haven't been seen since Easter.

What do the stats say?

Willie Mullins has won two of the last three runnings and this year he is double-handed with Eclat Des Mottes and Hey Little Boy, with both needing to improve on their latest showings to make a significant impact.

Willie Mullins: has won two of the last three runnings of thisCredit: Edward Whitaker

There's little doubting that Gavin Cromwell is one of the most in-form trainers in Ireland and having saddled seven winners at the Bellewstown festival – 15 in total over the past fortnight – his two representatives Static Jack and Aasleagh Dawn warrant consideration.

Favourites have won the last three runnings of this €26,000 prize.

What do the trainers say?

Gordon Elliott, trainer of A Toi Phil and Ball D'Arc
This is a stepping stone towards the Galway Plate, but they're in good form. They're both rated lower over hurdles than over fences but should come on a bit for the run. Hopefully they can run well.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Eclat Des Mottes and Hey Little Boy
I think the step up in trip will help Eclat Des Mottes. Hey Little Boy has been disappointing and we're hoping that a spin back over hurdles might help him show his best form.

Liam Cusack, trainer of Snugsborough Benny
We gave him a break after his run in the Irish Grand National with a view to going back to Galway. He's in good form now and we said we'd give him a run over hurdles to see how he gets on. I think you can't go into a Galway Plate without a prep run and he needs to run a nice race here to merit going there.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Static Jack and Aasleagh Dawn
Static Jack had a good first run for us when just touched off at Down Royal. A repeat of that effort should leave him in the frame. Aasleagh Dawn ran no race last time and I don't really know why. She came home fine and on her best form she could be in the frame as well.

James Motherway, trainer of Goodnightngodbless
She was good the last day and stayed well. It's a big step up in class but we're happy with her and she's got a grand light weight with a man in form on board. Hopefully she'll run a nice race.

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