Stage set for Oscar performance
Henry De Bromhead is hopeful of a good run from Oscar India in the Guinness Kerry National at Listowel tomorrow.
The nine-year-old is reported to be ready for his first race since he won a handicap chase over three miles and a furlong at Killarney in May.
“He seems in great form at the moment and we’re looking forward to running him,” said the County Waterford trainer.
“We gave him a little break and he often runs well fresh so we’ve brought him back for this.
“He has form on every sort of ground. He just was beaten a head at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day on heavy. I would have preferred it a bit better but he has form on heavy.
“It should be fresh ground as it’s the first chase to be run on the track. That will be a help, so it’s not going to be horrible, chewed up ground.”
De Bromhead was pleased to see top weight Mister Top Notch stand his ground as it means Oscar India is in the handicap proper on 9st 11lb.
“He’s got a nice weight, we’ve just slipped in the handicap,” the trainer went on.
“Three miles will suit him and he won at Killarney last time and that’s a flat track like Listowel, so we’ll take our chance and see how we go.”
In contrast, not so happy with the presence of Mister Top Notch is Dessie Hughes, trainer of Oulart.
“He’s fine, but he’s a few pounds out of the handicap unfortunately,” said Hughes.
“The top horse was declared, that’s put a few of us out of the handicap and it’s no help.
“He won’t mind the ground. It was very soft when he won at Kilbeggan the last day.”
Trainer David Fitzgerald is worried about the testing going for Mister Top Notch.
The classy nine-year-old has to give 16lb and upwards to his rivals in the three-mile test on heavy ground.
“He’s done well, but it’s his first run back. We’re worried about the ground and he will improve a lot for the run,” said Fitzgerald.
“We’ve had a lot of rain and the ground is very heavy.
“There’s nothing else coming up but this will put him spot on for the Munster National at my local track on the 12th of October.
“That’s the plan,” added the Limerick trainer.
