Who to back on Kerry National Day
The jumps season kicks into action on Wednesday with a wide-open renewal of the Kerry National at Listowel.
It was a race that was won by Desertmore House in 2023 and he returns for another crack at what looks to be a high-class renewal this time around with Fakir D’oudaries and The Real Whacker heading the weights.
We’ve picked out a couple of selections for the big feature race at decent odds, as well as a pick from the supporting card at Listowel.
4.20 Listowel – 3m Guinness Kerry National Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
This year’s renewal of the Kerry National looks stronger than usual and a case can be made
for a handful of these.
Flooring Porter heads the market at the time of writing but in his four chase starts so far, he’s
made some jumping errors.
While there’s scope for improvement in this sphere, there will be no hiding place in this
contest and it might be worth taking a chance on a couple of contenders at bigger prices.
Last year’s winner, Desertmore House, is opposable from 9lb higher in a deeper renewal
and one that appeals most is 2022’s winner, Busselton, who is on just a 1lb higher mark for
this year’s contest.
He had been struggling for form when last seen over jumps at the big festivals towards the
end of last season but he didn’t get his ground around that sort of time and he’s shown he’s
in better heart in recent times with some smart Flat form, including a Galway Festival
success.
Having slipped back to a good mark on ground he’ll relish, he could be worth chancing for a
yard that has won two of the last three renewals of this contest.
Selection: Busselton
In the same contest, It could also be worth having a saver on Perceval Legallois, who went
off a short-priced favourite for the Galway Plate when last seen.
He ran respectably for a long way in that contest before making a couple of errors late in the
day, but this longer trip might see him to better effect and he had previously looked like a
winner in waiting when going close at the Punchestown Festival.
Gavin Cromwell excels with his chasers and this one is unexposed having just his seventh
start over the larger obstacles. It’s also worth noting that this seven-year-old’s best hurdle
form came over this sort of trip.
Selection: Perceval Legallois
3.10 Listowel – 2m2f Brandon Hotel Handicap Hurdle
The handicap hurdle earlier on the card doesn’t have the same prestige as the feature but
it’s just as competitive.
And one that might be worth chancing at the prices is Eastmore.
He was well backed before a narrow defeat at Down Royal last month when tried in a first-
time tongue-tie (retained here) and it’s possible that piece of headgear has been the missing
piece of the puzzle.
He’s 3lb higher here but he’s entitled to build on that run and he is less exposed than many
of his rivals in this field.
Selecion: Eastmore.
By Aidan Perkins
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