Ponmeoath Kerry Hero Again

Ponmeoath captured the Guinness Kerry National in 2007 off a rating of 127 and a year later off an eight pound higher mark the eight-year-old did it again for Eric McNamara, Paddy Flood and his owners the Galway/Limerick grouping called the Jolly Up Syndicate.

In front after three out, the 9/1 chance (12s in the morning and from 10s on course) was always looking likely to contain Oulart and General Striker up the straight, which he did by three lengths and seven lengths. A New Story was hampered three out and eventually came home a further four lengths adrift in fourth.

A delighted Eric McNamara explained: "This has been the plan all year. He ran a nice prep race at Cork and it generally takes him one run to come alive. He has been working really well the last two weeks at home.

"This is the one race in the world that I really wanted to win and I'm absolutely thrilled to bits to win it for the second time. Ponmeoath is not an out and out stayer and while he goes on the ground there was a question as to whether he would stay the trip on it. This is a classy little horse who is a very good jumper and having ten stone five on his back made all the difference.

"We will give him an entry for the Munster National at Limerick and the Paddy Power at Leopardstown but we have no real plan as today was his big day. We won't be travelling though as he ran poorly at the November meeting at Cheltenham."

He also praised his rider, saying: "Paddy Flood is a superb jockey, this horse jumps particularly well for him and he gave him a fantastic ride."

For the Cutbush, Co. Kildare native, Flood, this was three Nationals in a row, following on from Hear The Echo in the Irish and Piano Star in the Midlands at Kilbeggan.

Ponmeoath became the third dual winner of this famous event and the first since Packed Home triumphed in 1964 and 1965. (EM)