2021 Listowel Kerry National Tip by Dave Stevos
2021 Listowel Kerry National Tip and Preview
We came ever so close to landing another nice winner on Saturday. Our 18/1 NAP Soldier’s Minute was denied in a head-bobber in the Silver Cup and it was a real sickener. The ground wasn’t soft enough for Choux and Juan de Montalban ran poorly. Strait Of Hormuz could never land a blow in a race that wasn’t run to suit him. Lahore actually ran a decent race to finish 10th in the big one and he is one to keep a close eye on for the rest of the season. The Cambridgeshire is the big race this weekend but we also have a major race in Ireland on Wednesday. The 2021 Listowel Kerry National promises to be an intriguing affair. Our tipster, Dave Stevos, is keeping faith with one of the older boys. Check out his preview below.
4.25 – Kerry National Handicap Chase (Grade A)
The last three winners of the Kerry National prepared for the race by running in the Galway Plate. This year a number of horses have charted that route. Home By The Lee, Top Moon, Assemble, Annamix, Darasso, Ben Dundee, Koshari, Modus and Brahma Bull. The ones that caught the eye most were Modus and Darasso, both of whom finished off really well over the 22.5f trip. However, neither horse has proven stamina for 3 miles and on what could be slightly softer ground I have my doubts about them getting the trip.
The 2018 winner of the Kerry National, Snow Falcon, also ran in the Plate last time out and I fancied him to go well. However, he went off at 33/1 and Sean Flanagan rode him as if he had another day in mind. When Noel Meade’s charge won this race a few years ago he was beat 10L into 4th in the Plate off 148 in his prep run. This year he ran off 144 and he was beat 15L into 9th. The handicapper generously dropped him 3lbs for that effort and he is now racing off 141. That is 7lbs lower than he was when winning this contest back in 2018.
Long Term Target
In hindsight, I should have realised that this race was probably his long term target before tipping him at Galway. His record at Ballybritt isn’t great but Listowel suits the son of Presenting much better. His career form figures here read 112, including this race on soft and a 14f flat race on yielding. He was beat 7L into 2nd by Darasso in a chase here over 19f on good ground back in June. However, he is 4lbs better off now and I would fancy him to close the gap markedly on that rival over 24f.
Incidentally, Born By The Sea was a length behind Snow Falcon in 3rd that day. He hacked up in the Blazers at the Galway Festival off 130 (now rated 138) and we were on. He could be a big danger for the Gilligans off a low weight again and the better the ground is, the bigger his chance will be. However, Galway was the plan for him and whether he is in the same form now is doubtful.
Snow Falcon, on the other hand, has likely been primed for this race. Yes, he is an 11yo now but his run at Tramore behind Ornua on his penultimate start showed he still retains lots of ability. The multiple Grade 2 winner is looking very nicely handicapped now and Sean Flanagan has been on board for three of his last four wins. Ground ranging from good to soft is fine and at odds of 25/1, Snow Falcon is the each way selection.
