Killarney Preview: Just as Irish racing, be it on the flat or over jumps, would have folded up were it not for the concept of a handicap, so too claiming races are the essential ingredient in the United States.

In his role as a director of the BBA Ireland, Jonathan Irwin made many trips to America and when he was elected to the Turf Club he propounded the notion of Irish Claiming Races.

In this country a few notable bargains have been secured and although through a combination of good manners and good doubts about the soundness of the claimable horses, we still have relatively few claims, the numbers of competitors has risen significantly.

Witness 14 runners that have been named in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Claiming Race on the second session at Killarney this evening.

The theory behind claiming races is that it does allow an owner and trainer to put a cash value on their entry and the smaller the value, the less weight it has to carry.

Eddie Lynam whose Fascinating was beaten a head for third place by Arwean behind Coup De Chance in the Summer Barbeque Claiming Race at Naas last week will now be 2lbs better off. That can turn the tables.

Le-Monde achieved a wide margin win over fences at Cork. That was his second start and possibly an even more meaningful piece of form was noted in his chase debut when he took on the JP McManus's well rated Woyuldn't You Sagree at Tralee and ran him close.

There is an intriguing rival for Le-Monde lurking on bottom weight in the Grand Hotel Killarney Novice Chase in the shape of the J Gutkin-owned Find The King. He may be an unknown quantity over fences but Edward O'Grady has won five races with him on the flat and over hurdles.

Michael Kinane had to settle for second on a Ballydoyle odds on chance Denver here last night but he should make no mistake this evening with Premier View, a handsome Curragh winner at the weekend.