11-1 shot Ballygunner Castle surprises trainer Willie Mullins to take Kerry National
AT A STRETCH: Ballygunner Castle & Danny Mullins (yellow) win the Guinness Kerry National. Pic: Healy Racing
It says everything about the magic of racing that even a man as successful and experienced as Willie Mullins can still be occasionally surprised.
Six of the 18 horses that went to post for the Guinness Kerry National, the headline act of the Listowel Harvest Festival, were trained by the 20-time champion trainer and of the Closutton sextet, Ballygunner Castle was the horse he fancied least.
But despite his misgivings, it was Ballygunner Castle who prevailed to give his trainer and jockey Danny Mullins back-to-back wins in the prestigious €200,000 contest.
The 11-1 shot hit the front two fences out and came away impressively to win by four and a half lengths from Ol Man Dingle, with 7-2 favourite Downmexicoway third and Doctor Ken fourth.
Asked if he was surprised by how events unfolded given Ballygunner Castle trailed in 18th of 22, 79 lengths behind King Alexander at the Galway Plate, the winning trainer, who turned 70 last week, admitted: “I was. I was saying to a few people in the stand that if I had to leave one of them at home this morning, I might have left him behind me. So you just don’t know in this game. Danny went and did his own thing on him and he just hit form on the day.”
Mullins added: “I thought he was beaten turning for home but, when he got into the straight, he seemed to pick up again when he saw the second last. He got a very forward ide by Danny, he told me he wanted to be good and forward on him, and it worked out.” The winning jockey, for whom this was his third win in the race after Faltering Fullback in 2012 and Spanish Harlem last year, was equally thrilled.
“It’s unbelievable. To go out and win the feature race at the harvest festival here in Listowel is just fantastic. It was a great performance from the horse and I was glad to be on his back.”
Reflecting on his Ballybrit no-show, Mullins added: “It just didn't happen at all in Galway. Myself, Willie, John Brennan and all the owners were all disappointed but we made a few minor adjustments for today and he found a great rhythm early in the race with tactics adjusted so it was a good performance.
“We'd always expected it from him and we were kind of scratching our heads as to why it hadn't come sooner but no better day than to win a Kerry National.”
But like the trainer, the jockey was concerned approaching the final bend.
“I got a good jump at the third last and I thought I’d land up beside Mark and he just quickened through the bend and was getting away from me. But once he levelled off, he galloped strong and hit the line well.” Looking to the future, the trainer said: “I’d imagine all the horses that ran in that will be horses that we’re looking forward to for the spring.
“We’ll have a look at the Munster National next and maybe the Coral Cup in Newbury. Those staying chases.
“Hopefully they’ll all get their turn. It’s very hard to win two of those in one year.” King Alexander was attempting to do just that but the Galway Plate hero had to settle for sixth this time while Funiculi Funicula, the shortest-priced Closutton contender at 6-1, was pulled up before the second last.
“King Alexander ran well, he was right there, but it’s a different discipline.
“Funiculi Funicula was very prominent early on but faded out close home, so maybe I’ll give him a break.
“I thought Spread Boss Ted was going very well when he fell. He’s a horse that could feature in one of those long-distance chases before Christmas.”
