The bookmakers in the Killarney ring this evening are likely to be donning flak jackets by the time the Seamus Weldon Handicap comes along, judging by Dundalk last Friday.

At the Co Louth track they were bowled over in the rush to back the Kevin Prendergast-trained Iftatah, who was backed down from 10 to 1 to 3 to 1 and promptly beat Cheeky Harry by a length and a half over nine furlongs.

Tonight Iftatah bids for a quick follow up over two furlongs further, and it will be a brave bookie who decides to lay the Cadeaux Generaux gelding. Iftatah carries a 5lb penalty for the Dundalk success but has been raised seven in the ratings and is taken to go in again.

The nap, however, goes to John Oxx's Doyoun filly, Baniyka, in the Kingdom Fillies Maiden. Baniyka ran an introductory race full of promise at Cork two weeks ago when runner-up to Desert Fox.

She dwelt in the stalls and showed understandable greenness when asked to make her challenge up the long straight. Nevertheless, once Baniyka got into her stride, she ran on well and was a clear three lengths ahead of the third, Crown Brief, at the line. Improvement is expected and Baniyka is taken to beat Blushing Melody.

Co Tipperary trainer Edward O'Grady can make his journey south worthwhile with a possible double. Nicholls Cross goes in the Beginners Chase and, on the balance of his form, will take a lot of beating. Fourth to Johnny Brushaside in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse last time, Nicholls Cross has the invaluable assistance of Richard Dunwoody and is taken to beat Cavalier D'Or.

O'Grady's Allatrim is a speculative choice in the handicap chase, and Dunwoody can also be on the mark when he rides Dante's Battle for Noel Meade in the first division of the maiden hurdle.

Dante's Battle hasn't run since being a disappointing favourite behind Impulsive Dream at Navan in November. Formerly trained by Jessica Harrington, Dante's Battle had some smart form before that and if he shows that in this context he will be hard to beat.