Danny Mullins secures fourth Kerry National for Willie Mullins aboard 16-1 Spanish Harlem
Spanish Harlem & Danny Mullins win the Guinness Kerry National. Pic: HEALY RACING.
Danny Mullins was at his forward-going best as he secured a fourth Guinness Kerry National for trainer Willie Mullins aboard 16-1 chance Spanish Harlem.
In front of the packed Listowel stands, Danny set off in front aboard the assured stayer and his willing mount gave a bold show.
With San Salvador as his nearest pursuer most of the way, he steered a little wide on the course but when that rival departed at the third-last, he moved towards the rails and set about putting his race to bed.
Three Card Brag threatened to get heavily involved but stamina is the forte of Spanish Harlem, who has begun to realise his potential in recent months, and he duly extended over the last two fences to win with a nice bit in hand.
As he is owned by Dr Peter Fitzgerald, who is founder of Randox Health, sponsors of the Grand National, Mullins suggested all roads will lead to Aintree in April, should the winner continue on his upward trajectory.
“We pushed the boat out and bought this fellow in France a few years ago and it’s taken a while to see him come to fruition, but I’m hoping now that he might go the whole way and run in the Grand National," said Mullins.
"We have a couple of races to go before that and could take in the Munster National or the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, or something like that, along the way, but he seems to like nice ground, lots of jumping, and three miles plus.
“To me, he has all the experience for this race, and experience told here. This fellow has paid his dues, has run in all those races, got his falls, made his mistakes, but today he put it all together. He had one or two mistakes but when he irons out those, I think he could be a player on the bigger stage.
“Danny told me he wanted to give him plenty of daylight. Sometimes, people think you’re giving away ground, but if a horse doesn’t enjoy being on the inside, and he gets all nervous when horses are all around him … He loves being out on his own and it worked today.
"And what a big day to do it: the Kerry National is a helluva race to win.”
