Who will win the Kerry National? Runner-by-runner insights The highlight of Listowel’s Harvest Festival has always been the Kerry National, a Grade 3 handicap with a massive prize pool of €200,000. It’s a race that all trainers want to win and we’ve created this runner-by-runner guide to give you a head start as you try to find the winner of this very competitive race. A full field of 18 has been declared, alongside three reserves, and we’ve assessed their chances. Check out the best Listowel Harvest Festival betting offers. Pied Piper (T: Gordon Elliot J: Mr J H Williamson) Gordon Elliott’s seven-year-old is top weight here and Josh Williamson’s 7lb claim will come in handy. He remains unexposed over three miles and has plenty in his favour, other than a big weight. Monbeg Park (T: Jack Foley J: Mr R James) Monbeg Park won a valuable handicap chase at the Dublin Racing Festival last year and is a talented performer on his day. He perhaps has a bit to prove over this trip however and might be vulnerable to some stronger stayers. Salvador Ziggy (T: Barry Connell J: Sean Flanagan) Previously with Gordon Elliott, he finished second in this race off a big weight back in 2023. Clearly he has the form in the book to make his presence felt but his last two efforts have been very underwhelming. Three Card Brag (T: Gordon Elliott J: Jack Kennedy) Often very popular in the betting, Gordon Elliott’s eight-year-old can flatter to deceive at times and perhaps needs a hand from the handicapper. The fact that he hasn’t been dropped after a heavy defeat in the Galway Plate is a concern. French Dynamite (T: E McNamara J: G B Noonan) This horse got the better of Minella Indo and Hewick in a Grade 3 at Punchestown last October and that form would give him a chance. He returned to form with a spin over the banks in the spring but others are preferred. Sandor Clegane (T: Paul Nolan J: Eoin Staples) Paul Nolan’s Sandor Clegane can be frustrating to follow, as he appears to have more ability than he shows at times. Perhaps he’s better over hurdles but either way, it’s hard to be confident of a big run. Anyway (T: David Kenneth Budds J: Shane Fitzgerald) This horse is an interesting runner, as he was second to Caldwell Potter at the Cheltenham Festival and beat race favourite You Oughta Know at Kilbeggan over the summer. Unseating early in the Galway Plate, he definitely deserves another chance. Thecompanysergeant (T: Gavin Cromwell J: Keith Donoghue) He has some smart place form to his name and the Gavin Cromwell-trained eight-year-old was second in a Cheltenham Festival handicap in March. The son of Kayf Tara needs to bounce back after a poor run in the Galway Plate but shouldn’t be discounted. Shecouldbeanything (T: Gordon Elliott J: Jordan Gainford) Progressive in mares' contests last season, she won a Grade 3 contest at Tipperary in October and looks like a player on the form of her third in the Galway Plate. Spanish Harlem (T: Willie Mullins J: Danny Mullins) It took him 11 attempts to get off the mark over fences but finally managed to do so in a Punchestown novice in June. He was a fair fourth in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown before that and should run well, provided he gets a stiff enough stamina test. Duffle Coat (T: Gordon Elliott J: Sam Ewing) Duffle Coat was narrowly denied in the 2024 Galway Plate and is a player on that evidence but has been badly out of form since. It’s hard to make a case for the eight-year-old despite the fact that he has some fair old form in the book. Light N Strike (T: Mickey Bowen J: James Bowen) British raider Light N Strike represents Mickey Bowen, who has made a fine start to life as a trainer. This horse probably needs to prove himself over the trip and this is a step up in class but he’s not entirely out of it. Outside The Door (T: Padraig Roche J: Aidan Kelly) Outside The Door is up 10lb after an impressive victory in lesser company at Wexford in August, which was the nine-year-old’s fourth win over fences. We’re into unknown territory with this sort of mark however, so confidence isn’t high. Le Coq Hardi (T: Henry de Bromhead J: Darragh O’Keefe) Henry de Bromhead’s representative hasn’t run over three miles since finishing third by a length in an Irish point and although lightly raced over fences, he has a bit to prove at this sort of level. Sea Music (T: Emmet Mullins J: Donagh Meyler) Emmet Mullins is a shrewd operator and it might be worth keeping an eye on the market. He has plenty to prove on recent form but don’t rule him out if the money starts to come. You Oughta Know (T: Willie Mullins J: Paul Townend) Willie Mullins’ You Oughta Know is the pick of Paul Townend, who had three to choose from, and you can see why. He won nicely over a shorter trip at Wexford last time out and there should be more to come now tackling handicaps. Arctic Fly (T: Willie Mullins J: Sean O’Keeffe) Arctic Fly is yet to try three miles and it’ll be interesting to see if the new trip inspires some improvement. Already a two-time winner in five starts over fences, some of the key trends indicate that she has a big chance. San Salvador (T: Joseph O’Brien J: J J Slevin) He sneaks in at the bottom of the weights but has to prove himself over three miles. Contesting some graded novice contests last season, he can improve in the jumping department. Reserves Busselton won the race back in 2022 off a 7lb higher mark and that form would give him a chance. Grade 2 winner Nara also looks interesting for Henry de Bromhead. In Excelsis Deo showed some smart form for Harry Fry and he wouldn’t be out of it either, now in the hands of cross-country specialist Enda Bolger.
