The enigmatic Yorkhill is one of three Coaches for Willie Mullins from the Guinness Kerry National at Listowel.
The champion trainer asserted renewals of the esteemed three-mile disability in 2005 and 2006 with Bothar Na and Euro Leader, however, hasn’t managed to add to his tally because in a race which now carries a total prize fund of 200,000 euro.
A winner at the Cheltenham Festival, Yorkhill looked a celebrity in the building after winning the 2017 JLT Novices’ Chase, however, has emerged a shadow of his former self over the last few years.
On the other hand, the nine-year-old claimed his first victory because that Festival triumph when shooting a conditions chase at the Galway Festival and bids to followup on Wednesday at the hands of Paul Townend under top-weight at Listowel.
Mullins’ assistant David Casey stated:”You would prefer not to own top-weight, obviously, but he seems in great shape.
“Moving back is going to suit him much better than racing right-handed in Galway, although he won.
“We have been pleased with him since, so fingers crossed he will run well”
The Closutton handler also saddles Some Neck (David Mullins) – three lengths behind Yorkhill when runner-up at Galway – along with the six-time winner Pravalaguna (Danny Mullins).
Casey added:”Some Neck conducted nicely behind Yorkhill at Galway, and moving an extra couple of furlongs should match him. We are also placing a pair of blinkers on him to try and eke out a little more progress.
“Pravalaguna worked nicely in the Galway Plate (finished seventh) before winning more obstructions in Cork. The trip should suit her nicely, and she should have a great prospect of getting at the cash, if she runs up to her Galway Plate kind.
“They all have opportunities, but it is clearly a competitive race.”
The champion coach’s excellent rival Gordon Elliott also offers a powerful hand, with A Toi Phil (Jack Kennedy), Barra (Hugh Morgan), Ravenhill (Denis O’Regan) along with Swingbridge (Andrew Ring) all comprising in an 18-strong field.
Elliott, who claimed consecutive renewals of those Kerry National together with Wrath Of Titans along with Potters Point in 2016 and 2017, stated:”It has been a fantastic race for us. There’s prize-money that is excellent, and it is an incredible race – it’s among those big handicap chases that you wish to win each year.
“It is definitely going to be a challenging race. If the ground is okay, must have a terrific chance.
“Barra looked like she was going to acquire against the Midlands National and fell at the past.
“Using A Toi Phil, the trip will most likely be a concern.”
The Enda Bolger-trained along with JP McManus-owned Movewiththetimes heads the Sector.
Trained in Britain from Paul Nicholls, a month the eight-year-old dropped when joint-favourite for the Galway Plate on his first start to Bolger, but bounced back to win against a beginners chase after his first victory in nearly three decades.
Bolger said:”He has a great racing weight and he’s going to the race in great form.
“It was very important for him important for us that he’d got his head in front at Killarney – hopefully it will enhance his confidence.
“This really is really a 200,000 euro race, and everyone will be champing at the bit – however as long as they do not 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 lawn.
The final winner of this race was that the Ferdy Murphy’s Macs Supreme at 2000, and now there are just two raiders in David Pipe’s Dell’ Arca and Neil Mulholland’s Shantou Village – fourth and fourth in the renewal of the past year.
Hopefuls include Black Scorpion, James Motherway’s Na Trachtalai Abu along with the Eric McNamara-trained duo of Internal Transport and Henry Bromhead’s set of Valseur Lido and Poker Party – though the latter is not yet ensured a run, as initial book.
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