Ruby Walsh: Aramax looks the part in Kerry National

This former Cheltenham Festival winner over hurdles has taken his time to get to grips with jumping fences

Aramax and Keith Donoghue (far) beats Port Stanley (near) to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Steeplechase in January. Picture: Healy Racing

Late Tuesday afternoon, Fairyhill Run was the second favourite for Wednesday’s Kerry National. As you read this, she will either be a favourite or soon to be a non-runner because she is only the first reserve for the feature race of Listowel’s Harvest Festival, which was much to the annoyance of her trainer John Ryan.

John has been having the season of his life, with over 30 winners trained, five of which were from 16 runners in the last fortnight for a 31% strike rate. But his anger at Fairyhill Run missing the initial cut for the race was slightly wide of the mark.