'If he gets in he'll be competitive' - nervy wait for Kerry specialist McNamara

When it comes to preparing a runner for a crack at the Guinness Kerry National, few have mastered the art like Eric McNamara.

The County Limerick trainer has won the Listowel feature on three occasions – with Ponmeoath (2007 and 2008) and Faltering Fullback (2012) – and hopes to take three more shots on Wednesday, although it is touch and go whether his main hope will make the cut.

His squad is set to be spearheaded by the 135-rated Donkey Years, who will need eight to come out at Monday’s declaration stage to guarantee a place in the three-mile handicap chase.

McNamara said: “I really hope he gets in. He’s in great shape and we’re very happy with him. We’re hoping to run."

Eric McNamara gets a kiss from Paddy Flood after Ponmeoath had recorded back-to-back wins in the 2008 Kerry NationalCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

The JP McManus-owned Donkey Years hasn’t run since winning the Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase at the Punchestown festival in April and McNamara added: “We discussed it on the evening of his win at Punchestown that this was the way we'd be going.

“The ground is going to be good, so maybe a few might decide not to run. We’ll run regardless of what the conditions are.”

Donkey Years, an 11-1 shot with Paddy Power, has won three of his 14 starts and McNamara is confident he is in good shape after more than four months off.

“I don’t think the break will be an excuse,” he said. “He’s fit and well and ready to go. If he gets in he’ll be competitive.”

McNamara, who has also entered Falco Blitz and Real Steel in the €200,000 contest, added: “We’ve been very lucky with it over the years and hopefully we’ll have some more joy.”

The Willie Mullins-trained El Barra and Shark Hanlon’s Hewick are the joint-favourites at 11-2 with Paddy Power.

Listowel: harvest festival begins on Sunday with dry weather forecastCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The seven-day Listowel harvest festival gets under way on Sunday and the going on Saturday night was good on the jumps track and good to yielding on the Flat course. The weather is expected to remain fairly dry in the coming days.

Clerk of the course Val O’Connell said: “We’re going to continue watering and will monitor that as the week goes on in relation to the weather. We’re all set for a good festival.”

Guinness Kerry National (Wednesday 4.20, Listowel)

Paddy Power: 11-2 El Barra, Hewick, 7 Busselton, Rock Road, 10 Hurricane Georgie, 11 Cape Gentleman, Donkey Years, 12 Darasso, Fire Attack, Lord Lariat, 14 bar

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