Hewick (left) is about to unseat Jordan Gainford at the last and leave Busselton in front© Photo Healy Racing
The Guinness Kerry National is always dramatic and the 2022 renewal was no different as Busselton (13/2) came out on top for Joseph O'Brien and an exultant JJ Slevin.
The first five-year-old to win this race since 1969, the winner jumped well out in front but was headed narrowly on the run to the last by topweight Hewick who was conceding 21lbs. The latter was maybe a neck up jumping the last but clipped the top and shot Jordan Gainford out of the saddle. Busselton was left in front and came home two and three quarter lengths ahead of Recite A Prayer Darasso was a further length and three quarters back to give Joseph O'Brien a one-three in the 200,000 Euro feature with Gin On Lime completing the frame.
Assistant trainer Brendan Powell said: “I don't know whether he'd have won if the other horse had stood up but he would have kept battling. He's as hard as nails, for a five-year-old. He jumps, stays and seems to go on any ground.
“It was a great performance. I know he had a nice weight on his back but he had been on the go for over a year, over hurdles and fences.
“He's a very honest horse and it's great. It's a shame the owner wasn't here.
“Darasso ran a blinder too. I thought he was going to be involved turning in but maybe the quicker ground caught him out as the others quickened away turning in and he just kept staying on.”
Slevin said: “He had only 10st 5lb on his back and he hadn’t won a big one before, but he was always threatening to do it, so he hadn’t been penalised for any big success. There was always going to be a day in him and thankfully it was today.
“He got in a great rhythm and let himself down on the ground, which was quite fast. I have to thank everybody for giving me the opportunity, Joseph and Michael Burke (owner).”
Quotes from Gary Carson
