Kerry National tips and runner-by-runner guide to Listowel 4.25 on Wednesday

A cool €118,000 goes to winning connections.

Ash Tree Meadow wins the Galway Plate

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The first two home in the Galway Plate, Ash Tree Meadow and Authorized Art, head the weights for the Grade 3 Guinness Kerry National Handicap Chase at Listowel.

Ash Tree Meadow got the better of Authorized Art by 2½l in Galway’s summer feature but has to negotiate a 10lb rise in the handicap compared to his rival’s 5lb increase for Wednesday’s 16:25.

The Galway Plate winner is one of seven declared runners for trainer Gordon Elliott and stable jockey Jack Kennedy has plumped for Pertemps Network Final second Salvador Ziggy, who is three from three over the larger obstacles.

Authorized Art, the ride of Paul Townend, is one of just two entries for Willie Mullins, with Ciel De Neige also in the mix. Henry de Bromhead has a strong hand courtesy of three runners including last season’s Munster National second Ain’t That A Shame.

Joseph O’Brien was last year’s winning trainer and he relies on Galway Plate fourth A Wave Of The Sea, who has gone 12 races without being first past the post.

The latest Kerry National odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.

Kerry National tips

Timeform: SALVADOR ZIGGY has looked a terrific prospect in winning his 3 starts to date over fences and there’s every chance he can prove himself to be ahead of a mark of 150. He’s a confident choice but the likes of Ain’t That A Shame and Authorized Art should ensure that it’s not all plain sailing for the selection.

Kerry National runners and riders

The following horses have been declared for the Kerry National 2023.

Ash Tree Meadow

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Non Runner Age: 7 Weight: 11st 12lbs

Non Runner

Authorized Art

Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: P. Townend Age: 8 Weight: 11st 8lbs

14/1, good 2½ lengths second of 22 to Ash Tree Meadow in handicap chase at Galway (22.5f, good to soft) 49 days ago. Booking of Townend a plus. Should continue to give a good account.

****

Salvador Ziggy

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: J. W. Kennedy Age: 7 Weight: 11st 7lbs

Promising individual. Won 2-runner novice chase at Killarney (23f, good to soft, evens) 25 days ago by 13 lengths from Toss Again, easily. Makes handicap chase debut. Has to be taken seriously.

*****

Chemical Energy

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Jordan Gainford Age: 7 Weight: 11st 4lbs

Course winner. Latest win in chase at Cheltenham in October. 16/1, pulled up in handicap chase at Fairyhouse (29f, soft) 163 days ago. Needs to bounce back.

**

Foxy Jacks

Trainer: M. F. Morris Jockey: Gavin Brouder Age: 9 Weight: 11st 4lbs

Pulled up in handicap chase (16/1) at Galway (22.5f, good to soft) 49 days ago won by Ash Tree Meadow. Something to find on form.

**

Ain’t That A Shame

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 9 Weight: 11st 3lbs

Latest win in chase at Gowran in March. 10/1, below form seventeenth of 39 in handicap chase at Aintree (34.3f, good) 158 days ago, shaping like a non-stayer. More realistic claims back down significantly in trip.

****

Ciel De Neige

Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: M. P. Walsh Age: 8 Weight: 11st 3lbs

Respectable 14½ lengths sixth of 22 to Ash Tree Meadow in handicap chase (22/1) at Galway (22.5f, good to soft) 49 days ago. Not completely dismissed.

***

The Goffer

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: K. E. Buckley Age: 6 Weight: 11st 2lbs

16/1, bit below form 18¾ lengths eighth of 22 to Ash Tree Meadow in handicap chase at Galway (22.5f, good to soft) 49 days ago, missing break. Tongue strap on 1st time. Others more appealing.

**

A Wave Of The Sea

Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien Jockey: S. D. Torrens Age: 7 Weight: 11st 0lbs

Twelve runs since last win in 2022. 16/1, creditable 10¼ lengths fourth of 22 to Ash Tree Meadow in handicap chase at Galway (22.5f, good to soft) 49 days ago.

***

Gabbys Cross

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Peter Carberry Age: 8 Weight: 10st 12lbs

Bit below form 22½ lengths twelfth of 22 to Ash Tree Meadow in handicap chase at Galway (22.5f, good to soft, 20/1) 49 days ago, slowly away. Others more persuasive.

**

Tullybeg

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Non Runner Age: 8 Weight: 10st 12lbs

Non Runner

Hurricane Georgie

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: M. J. M. O’Sullivan Age: 6 Weight: 10st 11lbs

Respectable 18¾ lengths ninth of 22 to Ash Tree Meadow in handicap chase (50/1) at Galway (22.5f, good to soft) 49 days ago. Has work to do.

**

Stealthy Tom

Trainer: Enda Bolger Jockey: M. M. McDonagh Age: 8 Weight: 10st 11lbs

3 wins from 4 runs this season. Career best when winning 8-runner handicap chase (5/2) at Killarney (20.8f, good to soft) 25 days ago, cruising clear. Progressing well recently and another bold showing is on the cards.

****

Stumptown

Trainer: Gavin Patrick Cromwell Jockey: D. E. Mullins Age: 6 Weight: 10st 11lbs

Latest win in chase at Sandown in February. Fourth of 5 in minor event chase (11/2) at Galway (22.5f, soft) 45 days ago. Should come on for latest effort.

***

Toss Again

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Non Runner Age: 6 Weight: 10st 11lbs

Non Runner

Life In The Park

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: M. P. O’Connor Age: 6 Weight: 10st 10lbs

Course winner. 9/2, respectable 15¼ lengths third of 13 to Foxy Jacks in handicap chase at Kilbeggan (25f, soft) 68 days ago. One to consider.

****

Born By The Sea

Trainer: Paul John Gilligan Jockey: Jack G. Gilligan Age: 9 Weight: 10st 9lbs

Fourteen runs since last win in 2021. 11/2, creditable second of 5 in minor event chase at Galway (22.5f, soft) 45 days ago. Likely to be on the premises.

***

Gevrey

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: B. Hayes Age: 7 Weight: 10st 9lbs

Creditable third of 7 in minor event hurdle (10/1) at Kilbeggan (25f, good to soft) 39 days ago. Switches from hurdles to chase. Not dismissed.

***

Captain Cattistock

Trainer: Fergal O’Brien Jockey: Liam Harrison Age: 10 Weight: 10st 7lbs

Nine wins from 29 NH runs. Didn’t need to improve to win 11-runner handicap chase at Cheltenham (26f, good, 9/2) 154 days ago, always holding on.

***

Desertmore House

Trainer: Martin Brassil Jockey: Ricky Doyle Age: 8 Weight: 10st 6lbs

2 wins from 4 runs this season. 9/2, career best when winning 13-runner handicap chase at Kilbeggan (25f, soft) 26 days ago. Likely to be on the premises.

***

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