The enigmatic Yorkhill is Just One of 3 Athletes for Willie Mullins from the Guinness Kerry National at Listowel.
The champion trainer claimed back-to-back renewals of the disability in 2005 and 2006 with Euro Leader and Bothar Na, however, has not managed to add to his tally because.
A winner at the Cheltenham Festival, Yorkhill looked a celebrity in the making after winning the 2017 JLT Novices’ Chase, but has appeared a shadow of his former self within the last few years.
On the other hand, the nine-year-old maintained his first triumph because that instant Festival victory bids to followup on Wednesday in the hands of Paul Townend beneath top-weight in Listowel and when shooting a conditions pursuit in the Galway Festival last month.
Mullins’ assistant David Casey said:”You would prefer not to have top-weight, of course, but he looks in great shape.
“Moving back left-handed is going to suit him much better than racing straight in Galway, although he won.
“We have been pleased with him since, so fingers crossed he’ll run well”
The Closutton handler additionally saddles Some Neck (David Mullins) – three seasons supporting Yorkhill when runner-up at Galway – along with the six-time winner Pravalaguna (Danny Mullins).
Casey added:”A few Neck ran nicely behind Yorkhill in Galway, and going an additional few furlongs should suit him. We’re also putting a pair of blinkers on him to attempt to eke out a little more progress.
“Pravalaguna worked well in the Galway Plate (finished seventh) before winning over hurdles in Cork. The trip should fit her nicely, and when she works to her Galway Plate kind she ought to have a great likelihood of getting in the cash.
“They all have opportunities, but it’s obviously a competitive race.”
The champion coach’s great rival Gordon Elliott also offers a powerful hand, using A Toi Phil (Jack Kennedy), Barra (Hugh Morgan), Ravenhill (Denis O’Regan) and also Swingbridge (Andrew Ring) all featuring at an 18-strong area.
Elliott, who maintained consecutive renewals of those Kerry National together with Wrath Of Titans and Potters Point at 2016 and 2017, said:”It’s been a great race for us. There’s excellent prize-money, and it’s an incredible race – it is among those handicap chases that you need to win.
“It is going to be a rough race. Ravenhill, who had been fifth at the Galway Plate, must have a wonderful opportunity if the ground is okay.
“Barra looked like she was planning to win the Midlands National and dropped at the past.
“Using A Toi Phil, the trip will probably be a worry.”
The Industry is led from the Enda Bolger-trained and JP McManus-owned Movewiththetimes.
Trained in Britain from Paul Nicholls, a month the eight-year-old dropped when joint-favourite to the Galway Plate in his very first start for Bolger, however, bounced back to win a chase in Killarney – his first victory in nearly three decades.
Bolger said:”He has a great racing weight and he’s going into the race in good shape.
“It was very important for him personally and important for us that he got his head in front at Killarney – it will enhance his confidence.
“This really is a 200,000 euro raceand everybody will be champing at the bit – however as long as they don’t get too much rain, hopefully he will run well and get into the frame.”
Joseph O’Brien’s the Tom Mullins-trained Oscar Knight All The Answers and Drumcliff also carries the McManus silks in Aidan Howard’s yard.
The race’s last winner was the Ferdy Murphy’s Macs Supreme at 2000, also there are just two raiders this season in David Pipe’s Dell’ Arca and Neil Mulholland’s Shantou Village – fourth and fifth in the renewal of the past year.
Additional hopefuls contain Henry de Bromhead’s set of Poker Party along with Valseur Lido, James Motherway’s Na Trachtalai Abu along with the Eric McNamara-trained duo of Internal Transfer and Black Scorpion – although the latter is not yet ensured a series, as reserve.
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