Ballygunner Castle wins Guinness Kerry National Owned by John Brennan and David Flynn, the seven-year-old Ballygunner Castle gamely landed the Guinness Kerry National at Listowel this afternoon. It was a first success over fences for the 11/1 shot who scored for Willie Mullins and his nephew Danny, winners of the race last year with Spanish Harlem. And like Spanish Harlem 12 months ago, Ballygunner Castle raced up with the pace. He led on the approach to the second-last fence to win by four and a half lengths from the Eoin Griffin-trained Ol Man Dingle, a 9/1 chance. The 7/2 favourite Downmexicoway was third for Henry de Bromhead with Eric McNamara’s front-running 28/1 chance Doctor Ken a length further back in fourth place. It was a third win in the race for Danny Mullins while Willie Mullins was recording his fifth success. “I thought he was beaten turning for home, but when he got into the straight he seemed to pick up again when he saw the second-last,” said the winning trainer who ran six horses. “It was a very forward ride from Danny, he said to me that he wanted to be good and forward on him. “It worked out for the horse. He stays well, he has lots of stamina in the pedigree.” “I was saying to a few people in the stands that if I had to leave one of them at home this morning, I might have left him. You don’t know in this game. “Danny went and did his own thing on him and he hit form on the day. “I’d imagine all the horses that ran in that will be horses that we’re looking forward to for the spring. “We’ll have a look at the Munster National next and maybe the Coral Cup in Newbury. “Hopefully they’ll all get their turn. It’s very hard to win two of those in one year. “King Alexander ran well, he was right there, but it’s a different discipline. “Funiculi Funicula was very prominent early on but faded out close home, so maybe I’ll give him a break. “I thought Spread Boss Ted was going very well when he fell. He’s a horse that could feature in one of those long-distance chases before Christmas.” Additional reporting from Gary Carson
