Spanish strikes in Kerry National The Willie Mullins-trained Spanish Harlem produced a gutsy front-running performance to land the big race of the week at Listowel, the Guinness Kerry National. Danny Mullins had his mount to the fore throughout in the €200,000 contest today and kicked for home turning in on the 16/1 shot. He asserted going to the second last fence and maintained his gallop in the closing stages to record a four-and-a-half length success over Three Card Brag. The seven-year-old was making his first start since winning a novice chase at Punchestown in June. Mullins said:- “We pushed the boat out and bought this fellow in France a few years ago and it’s taken a while for him to come to fruition. I’m hoping now that he might go the whole way and run in the Grand National.   “Dr Peter Fitzgerald is Randox who sponsor the Grand National. We have a couple of races to go before that — something like the Munster National or the Coral Gold Cup in Newbury.   “He seems to like nice ground, lots of jumping and three miles plus.   “To win these races you need lots of experience and he has lots of experience.   “He made one or two mistakes and when he can iron out those, he could be a player on the bigger stage.   “Danny wanted to give him plenty of daylight. He’s a horse that doesn’t like being crowded and it worked.” (Quotes by Alan Magee)
