21/09/22 4:20 Listowel - Kerry National

 

1st Hewick 6/1 - 70

2nd Recite A Prayer 20/1 - 55

3rd Busselton 15/2, Embittered 16/1, The Jam Man 16/1 - 45 

Tullybeg also scored 45 but is 2nd reserve. 

Hewick was clear here, he carries top weight, but on this ground it shouldnt be too much of an issue and he has won twice from 3 runs carrying 11st 12lb plus. He will love the going, he has won over course and distance over hurdles which is good. His stats for running in September is 4, 1, 1, 2, 1, not much to go on but interesting. He has a lot of ticks in his box, the only negative is the top weight but he is rated 10lb superior to his rivals, so its right he gives a minimum of 10lb to each. He is racing off a career high mark so will need to improve again.

Recite A Prayer is a big ew, and comes from the inform stable of Willie Mullins. The ground is perfect form him with stats of 1, 1, 1, 11. The 11th was last time out in a Grade 2 Midlands National. He does meet a lot of rivals there. I would actually ignore his last run, because his best runs have come within 30 days. So his last run is a great set up for this. He has a grea relationship with David Mullins too, and thier stats are 4, 1, PU, 2, 1, 2, 1, 11

Busselton has come 2nd twice in a couple of Grade 1's including behind Bob Olinger at the Cheltenham Festival. He was well beaten that day, but came well in front of El Barra, so if he is in that type of form he will run well. He will lvoe the ground and distance and the track should suit. 

Embittered is 1lb lower than when last winning over fences in a Novice Chase. The ground is perfect, and although never running over this distance before, it looks like he wants the step up. 

The Jam Man need to improve, he is 14lb lower than his last win over fences which was in a Grade 2, if he can recapture that he will have a big say. The ground is ok, and the step back up in distance will suit him well. You never know! 

My Selection: Hewick 6/1