The enigmatic Yorkhill is Just One of three runners for Willie Mullins at the Guinness Kerry National at Listowel.
The winner trainer claimed back-to-back renewals of the prestigious disability at 2005 and 2006 with Euro Leader and Bothar Na, but hasn’t managed to add in a race that carries a total prize fund of 200,000 euro since to his tally.
A double winner at the Cheltenham Festival, Yorkhill looked a celebrity in the making after winning the 2017 JLT Novices’ Chase, however, has emerged a shadow of his former self over the last couple of years.
The nine-year-old maintained his first victory because that instant Festival triumph when shooting a conditions chase at the Galway Festival a month also bids to follow up beneath top-weight at Listowel on Wednesday in the palms of Paul Townend.
Mullins’ assistant David Casey said:”You would prefer to not own top-weight, of course, but he seems in great form.
“Going back is going to suit him much better than racing right-handed in Galway, although he won.
“We’ve been happy with him because, so fingers crossed he’ll run well.”
The Closutton handler additionally saddles Some Neck (David Mullins) – three lengths behind Yorkhill when runner-up at Galway – and the six-time winner Pravalaguna (Danny Mullins).
Casey added:”Many Neck ran nicely behind Yorkhill in Galway, and moving an excess couple of furlongs should match him. We’re also putting a pair of blinkers on him to attempt to eke out a bit more improvement.
“Pravalaguna conducted well in the Galway Plate (completed seventh) before winning over battles in Cork. The trip should suit her well, and she ought to have a great likelihood of getting at the money when she works to her Galway Plate kind.
“They all have opportunities, but it’s obviously a competitive race.”
The champion coach’s excellent rival Gordon Elliott also includes a powerful hand, with A Toi Phil (Jack Kennedy), Barra (Hugh Morgan), Ravenhill (Denis O’Regan) and Swingbridge (Andrew Ring) all featuring in an 18-strong area.
Elliott, who claimed successive renewals of those Kerry National together using Wrath Of Titans and Potters Point in 2016 and 2017, said:”It has been a fantastic race for us. There’s prize-money that is fantastic, and it is an unbelievable race – it is one of the big handicap chases you need to win each year.
“It’s definitely going to be a difficult race. If the ground is fine should have a excellent chance.
“Barra looked like she was likely to win the Midlands National and fell at the last.
“Using A Toi Phil, the trip will probably be a worry.”
The Industry is led JP McManus-owned Movewiththetimes along with by the Enda Bolger-trained.
Trained in Britain by Paul Nicholls, the eight-year-old fell when joint-favourite for the Galway Plate in his first start for Bolger, but bounced back to win a chase at Killarney last month – his first victory in nearly three decades.
Bolger said:”He’s a great racing weight and he is going to the race in great form.
“It was very important for him important for us that he’s his head in front at Killarney – it will enhance his confidence.
“This is really a 200,000 euro race, and everyone will be champing at the bit – however so long as they don’t get too much rain, hopefully he’ll run well and get in the framework”
Joseph O’Brien’s the Tom Mullins-trained Oscar Knight, All The Answers and Drumcliff also carries the McManus silks from Aidan Howard’s lawn.
The last British-trained winner of the race was the late Ferdy Murphy’s Macs Supreme at 2000, also now there are just two raiders at David Pipe’s Dell’ Arca along with the Shantou Village of Neil Mulholland – fourth and fourth respectively in the renewal of the past year.
Hopefuls contain James Motherway’s Na Trachtalai Abu Henry de Bromhead’s pair of Poker Party along with Valseur Lido and the Eric McNamara-trained duo of Internal Transfer and Dark Scorpion – although the latter is not ensured a series, as book.
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