Listowel report: Cabaret Queen ends Willie Mullins' 14-year wait for Kerry National glory

'He set out to do what he did, and both rider and horse were very brave.'

Trainer Willie Mullins  and  jockey Paul Townend  celebrate after Cabaret Queen's  Kerry National  success. Picture:  Healy Racing.

Willie Mullins ended a 14-year wait and Paul Townend exorcised the memory of two near misses in the Guinness Kerry National when Cabaret Queen produced a performance of pure determination in the week’s feature at the Listowel Harvest Festival.

Winner of the Munster National in 2019 and a fine third in the Galway Plate earlier in the summer, the mare set out in front this time and found a great rhythm. A bold display of jumping ensured that, for most of the three miles on the rain-softened ground, she held her lead with little fuss, but there was late drama as Moyhenna made a play to spoil the party.