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The 2025 Kerry National (Handicap Chase)

I haven't give up on Anyway after Galway. He has to be forward and the start was messy. Was v.good vs the jolly previous to that, jumped and travelled very well that day and I do think You Oughta Know is in his element in that sort of small field, admittedly Townend wasn't on. Obviously extremely good at the festival w/ only 2 pounds added (didn't really get chance in Galway to show if that was kind) I'd say 10-11/1 is more than fair.
 
This time last week I really wanted to be on Three Card Brag at 12/1, but the ground is drying out and there is no rain forecast. Anyway is very interesting, but I’m very disappointed with the jockey booking — Derek O’Connor at Galway and now Shane Fitzgerald. You’d think they’d put the ride out there and get a proper jockey.
 
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Yeah it's a proper shame especially with D O'Keeffe on a horse I don't rate. More an interest bet than anything, like to play in those big handicaps but its the only thing exciting me in the race
 
Jack Foley, grandson of Tom Danoli Foley has his first NH runner in Kerry National Monbeg Park.
Best of luck to him.
Eric Mac has an enviable record in Listowel and French Dynamite is a more than interesting recruit to his stable.
A few pounds improvement with Rathkeale air in his lungs and you never know.
Should be a cracker.
 
Drying out from heavy and it dries slowly Fealeside this time of year.
When you see them running a mile in 1m 47 sec it says enough.
Horses for courses in Kerry always, check out the O'Donnell horse that won today .
L'Escargot never managed to win a Kerry National in 3 attempts.
 
Ian_Davies said:
I'm currently working on a "Kefolio" - what's the ground going to be like, please?
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I’ve spent the last few hours asking around. It’s horrible, tacky ground, and because the temperature is so low at night and there’s heavy dew, it won’t dry out as much as I thought. If ever a race will be decided by ground, this is it.

I realise you’re all going to take the piss out of me now, but it’s not my thread so I can’t stop you.
 
edgt said:
Drying out from heavy and it dries slowly Fealeside this time of year.
When you see them running a mile in 1m 47 sec it says enough.
Horses for courses in Kerry always, check out the O'Donnell horse that won today .
L'Escargot never managed to win a Kerry National in 3 attempts.
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A fine farmer you'd have made.
 
Slim said:
A fine farmer you'd have made.
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There were cattle in for the winter Listowel way 2 weeks ago.
It used be known as "Ice Cream Land " back in the days when ice cream was only sold from June to late august.
Back in 1958 there was a horrendously wet summer, akin to 2012.
Listowel was a two day festival back then and the second day's racing wouldn't have gone ahead only for those staying over in the town assisting in replacing the sods with shovel and spade .
A gamble was brought off in the Bumper when Cottage Gem, ridden by local hero Connie Vaughan, led all the way.
However, the mare cornered like a motorbike, nearly breaking her rider's leg off the unyielding upright stakes.
Rail paint on the jockey's boot was evidence the mare had been "flapping"( running in illegal horse and pony races)
The stewards warned Connie to have no more involvement with mare or connections.
Needless to mention they returned the following day to win the maiden hurdle easily.
Mare was banned, trainer banned 10 years and Connie 5 years.
On his return he won the NH Chase at Festival 1964 on Dorimont for Pat Taaffe's father Toss.
More recently Tom Walker, a local based near Newcastle West used a similar formula for Harvest Festival success.
One of the few trainers who bought racehorses by weight, sourcing horses destined for meat factories he had huge success with Ballygowan Beauty, winning 50k races at Killarney, Tralee and Listowel Festivals along with a filly by Welsh Saint who in the 1980s won on Monday, was fourth Tuesday before victory again on the Wednesday .
Given his age he was gently retired without too much brouhaha.
Alas the book has already been written...
 
Ian_Davies said:
Hardly - that's very useful to know, thank you.
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The thing is, if you knew the exact ground you could rule out so many. You have to be ‘in the van’ to win a Kerry National. Three Card Brag would have a right chance if it’s proper holding ground.
 
edgt said:
There were cattle in for the winter Listowel way 2 weeks ago.
It used be known as "Ice Cream Land " back in the days when ice cream was only sold from June to late august.
Back in 1958 there was a horrendously wet summer, akin to 2012.
Listowel was a two day festival back then and the second day's racing wouldn't have gone ahead only for those staying over in the town assisting in replacing the sods with shovel and spade .
A gamble was brought off in the Bumper when Cottage Gem, ridden by local hero Connie Vaughan, led all the way.
However, the mare cornered like a motorbike, nearly breaking her rider's leg off the unyielding upright stakes.
Rail paint on the jockey's boot was evidence the mare had been "flapping"( running in illegal horse and pony races)
The stewards warned Connie to have no more involvement with mare or connections.
Needless to mention they returned the following day to win the maiden hurdle easily.
Mare was banned, trainer banned 10 years and Connie 5 years.
On his return he won the NH Chase at Festival 1964 on Dorimont for Pat Taaffe's father Toss.
More recently Tom Walker, a local based near Newcastle West used a similar formula for Harvest Festival success.
One of the few trainers who bought racehorses by weight, sourcing horses destined for meat factories he had huge success with Ballygowan Beauty, winning 50k races at Killarney, Tralee and Listowel Festivals along with a filly by Welsh Saint who in the 1980s won on Monday, was fourth Tuesday before victory again on the Wednesday .
Given his age he was gently retired without too much brouhaha.
Alas the book has already been written...
Click to expand...

Some knowledge.
 
Ian_Davies said:
Pied Piper at 18/1 in a place piques my interest.
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4¼ third to Absurde and L'Eau Sud with subsequent Ebor winner Magical Zoe back in fourth in a County Hurdle on Heavy ground, runner up to The Shunter in a Cesarewitch (2¼m) on Soft ground, I'd say this fella will handle conditions underfoot as well as anything and I'm not seeing much not to like at 18/1 - he'll do for me.
 
Ian_Davies said:
4¼ third to Absurde and L'Eau Sud with subsequent Ebor winner Magical Zoe back in fourth in a County Hurdle on Heavy ground, runner up to The Shunter in a Cesarewitch (2¼m) on Soft ground, I'd say this fella will handle conditions underfoot as well as anything and I'm not seeing much not to like at 18/1 - he'll do for me.
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You’re the second person to mention him to me. The jockey is well able to claim 7, although in a race like this it’s not an advantage. I never forgave the horse for that Cesarewitch defeat. He wouldn’t be for me.
 
Ian_Davies said:
Slim's got a "Kefolio" going on this now - I never thought I'd see the day.
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Here’s something I’ve learnt over the years betting on this race: it’s an awful each-way heat. If your horse isn’t up with the pace, you won’t be finishing 5th either. Much better to bet a couple win-only.
 

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