Murphy out to plunder Listowel prize

Ferdy Murphy will launch another big-race raid on Ireland tomorrow when he sends Haut De Gamme for the Guinness Kerry National at Listowel.

The Middleham handler’s Granit D’Estruval caused a 33-1 upset in the Irish Grand National last season and he is hoping his French recruit can follow suit.

The nine-year-old – a multiple winner in his native country – had his first start for Murphy earlier this month when he finished fourth in a three-mile chase at Stratford on ground considered on the fast side for him.

“He’s a nice horse. I bought him a year ago at a dispersal sale in France then I pretty much chucked him in a field for a year, as I’ve found some of the French horses take a bit of acclimatising,” Murphy said today.

“We did think about bringing him back towards the back end of last season but time was getting on so we decided to start fresh with him this season.

“I’d seen him run at Pau before and I was pleased with the way he ran at Stratford last time. It wasn’t really his ground there but Paul (Moloney) said he felt like a good horse and should pick up a nice race or two.

“He should get his ground tomorrow and we are looking for a good run.”

Murphy has some big plans for Haut De Gamme if he runs well in tomorrow’s €80,376 feature, with the Grand National at Aintree a possible target.

“We bought him with the Pardubicka and the cross-country chases in mind as there is one at the Festival in March, but we will have to see how he gets on tomorrow,” said Murphy.

“He definitely looks to be a Grand National type. I think he would have to find about 10lb on his current rating but he could do that if he were to win a nice race.

“He does look the right sort of horse – he has a bit of class and experience of jumping round Pau and Auteuil which are not easy tracks.”

Haut De Gamme will face 15 rivals tomorrow, including last season’s Red Mills Chase winner Barrow Drive, Howaya Pet, Verchoyles Lad and Listed Smirnoff Handicap Chase winner Golden Storm.