Desertmore House and Ricky Doyle left jump the last to win the Guinness Kerry National from Salvador Ziggy. © Photo Healy Racing
The gods were certainly smiling on trainer Martin Brassil and connections of Desertmore House as the second reserve got a late call up into the race, before running out a gallant winner of the featured Kerry National at Listowel.
A winner of two of his three starts over fences prior to today, the Court Cave gelding arguably found the trip too short when seventh at Galway in between those wins.
Back over his preferred distance here, jockey Ricky Doyle always had the eight-year-old handy, sitting just of the pace. When the leaders quickened after the fourth last fence, he was momentarily tapped for toe but with stamina being his forte the gelding was soon back on an even keel.
Produced to challenge Salvador Ziggy between the final two fences, former Irish Grand National winning rider Doyle pushed Desertmore House ahead at the last, finding plenty for pressure to run out a deserving winner.
Ricky Doyle said: "I grew up in Martin Brassil's house watching him train Grand National winners, so to win one for him is literally a dream come through. I was gutted when the declarations came out on Monday morning and he was second reserve. I really fancied him to run a big race.
"Riding the horse over hurdles, you always knew he was going to make an even better chaser. These type of races really suit him, as you can jump out and ride him handy from the off.
"To be fair to Gordon(Elliott), he rang around 8am this morning, so we knew the horse was getting in and could make plans. I rode out a few lots, then came down to Listowel."
It was a second National win for Doyle, who partnered Freewheelin Dylan to a shock 150-1 success in the 2021 Irish National at Fairyhouse.
Trainer Martin Brassil said: “It was a late plan after he won in Kilbeggan and we saw he was gone to 135. He’s a novice that jumps like a handicapper and we just wanted to get more experience into him whatever the ground was like.
“There are plenty of races coming up like this — the Munster National, the Troytown at Navan and the Paddy Power - so there are lots of options for a horse that jumps like that.
“He got in as a reserve. Gordon (Elliott) rang me this morning and said you should put your horse in the box as I have one out and we will walk the track and if we’re not happy we’ll take a second one out.
“It was a real sporting gesture. He’s finished second but he’s won plenty of these races!
“We’ve had some lovely winners with these colours and Numbersixvalverde is the one that sticks out. This fellow might start us dreaming again.
“He’s eight and has had a good time to mature.
“Denis Leahy won a point-to-point with him and I’d say did an awful lot of schooling because he was always good to jump. It makes the job easier for us.
“They went a bit steady and I said to Ricky if you are still travelling jumping the third last they are not after going fast enough. I said make sure you are in the van as they will quicken up from there but they are going to have to stay as well.
“He said it rode a bit slower than they were expecting but he handled it well.”
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