Katie Walsh wins the Kerry National on Busy Katie Walsh became the first lady rider to win the Grade A Guinness Kerry National Handicap Chase as she partnered first reserve Your Busy to a surprise 25/1 success for trainer James Nash. The eleven-year-old son of Anshan got into the race when Golden Wonder was taken out earlier due to the change in going. A bad mistake at the first almost saw Walsh unshipped from the winner but both horse and rider quickly regained their composure. They were disputing the lead at the time and they regained the lead after the third. He was strongly pressed by Pass The Hat entering the straight but he kept on pulling out more, going on to score by half a length. Pass The Hat had to settle for second under David Casey for Arthur Moore and he was returned at 12/1. Shanpallas was sent off the heavily backed 7/2 favourite (from 12/1 last night and from 6’s on-course) and he finished a further two and a quarter lengths back in third under Davy Russell (two pounds overweight) for Charles Byrnes. Top-weight Alderwood completed the placings a further four and a quarter lengths back in fourth under Tony McCoy for Tom Mullins at 10/1. Katie Walsh said afterwards: "It's just unbelievable. I was headed for a stride or two turning in but he winged the second last and winged the last. He was pulling out for me the whole time. “He loves it in front. He completely missed the first and it was some performance after that to do what he did in a competitive race like the Kerry National. He was just really on song today." James Nash added: "Katie got a brilliant tune out of him. I didn't think he was quite fit enough at Killarney but it proved to be a good prep run. Thank God he got into the race as he was flying at home. "He is bomb proof in his jumping and it would have very unfortunate had he fell at the first. "Even though he's 11 he doesn't have that much mileage on the clock. He's still very keen and enjoys it. He probably got an easy lead and was able to stay in his comfort zone." The winner, who is also owned by Nash, was recording his seventh career success this afternoon and he last tasted success in the Killarney National in May. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
