18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure

Kerry National preview

Double Seven is on a four-timerDouble Seven is on a four-timer
© Photo Healy Racing

Eric McNamara hopes Questions Answered can give him a fourth win in the Guinness Kerry National in the last seven years at Listowel on Wednesday.

Questions Answered had to play second fiddle to his stablemate Faltering Fullback 12 months ago, but he is the County Limerick trainer's sole representative this time.

McNamara admitted he would have liked to have got a run into the eight-year-old last month, but the horse was coughing.

"We didn't get a prep run into him at Killarney which is a pity as I always like to get a prep run into him before the Kerry National," he said.

"We've loads of work done with him and I am happy that he's in particularly good order.

"It's a very competitive race with the first, second and third from the Galway Plate running, but I think he'll be one of the ones thereabouts.

"Although he is lurking at the bottom of the weights he is still five or six pounds higher than last year without winning so he's not thrown in.

"Soft ground won't inconvenience him. He goes on any ground, bar firm."

A maximum field of 18 is set to line up, including the Martin Brassil-trained Double Seven, who has won three races in a row at Kilbeggan.

"I'm very happy with him, but I'm a bit concerned that the ground has deteriorated since declaration time. He likes a trip and stays three miles really well," said the County Kildare trainer.

"He's mixing in better company, having gone up 27lb, so we'll see how he gets on.

"He's not reliant on running at Kilbeggan, those races were suitable for him and he's actually better on a galloping track.

"He's also won in Sligo and Galway. After this race we might look at the Munster National on October 13. That's an option for him."

Philip Dempsey trains Jacksons Lady who was third in the Galway Plate and he said: "She has a pull in the weights [on Carlingford Lough and Quantitativeeasing from the Galway Plate] and she is in good form. My main concern would be the rain. She's definitely better on quicker ground even though she has handled heavy.

"She's been great for us and hopefully she will be for the new owner JP McManus who bought her before Galway. Her form's there and Barry (Geraghty) gets on well with her."

Gordon Elliott said of Romanesco and Jamsie Hall: "The ground is my worry for both of them, but if you're not in you can't win."

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.