The Joseph O’Brien-trained Busselton has rock-solid, each-way claims in today’s €200,000 Guinness Kerry National, traditional highlight of the seven-day festival in Listowel.
In a typically competitive renewal of the National, all eyes will be on top-weight Hewick, considered a potential Gold Cup horse by trainer ‘Shark’ Hanlon and bidding to become the first horse since Life Of A Lord (in 1995) to complete the Galway Plate/Kerry National double.
But Hewick, carrying 11-12, faces a very tough task, up 8lb. for his Plate success, and attempting to become only the second horse in 25 years to carry more than 11-7 to victory in this race – subsequent Aintree Grand National victor Monty’s Pass won under 11-9 back in 2002.
