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Heartbreak for Hewick as Busselton lands dramatic Kerry National for O'Brien

Busselton and J.J.Slevin winners of the Kerry National.Listowel Harvest Festival.Photo: Patrick McCann/Racing Post21.09.2022
Busselton and JJ Slevin on their way to victory in the Kerry NationalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Wednesday: Kerry National, Listowel

Busselton won one of the most breathless and incident-packed contests in Kerry National history with a brilliant front-running performance, although the race will live long in the memory because of the dramatic final-fence departure of heroic topweight Hewick.

After three miles of high-octane action and spills, Shark Hanlon's Galway Plate winner looked to be getting the upper hand approaching the 16th and final obstacle, as Busselton, who virtually led from flagfall, boxed on admirably under pressure.

Lady Luck smiled on Hewick when he avoided catastrophe despite a loose horse carrying him across the track at Ballybrit, but there was no such good fortune this time as he parted company with Jordan Gainford after clipping the top of the last.

Hewick parts company with Jordan Gainford at the last fence in the Kerry National
Hewick parts company with Jordan Gainford at the last fence in the Kerry NationalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Owner TJ McDonald's staying star, who was out to defy a lofty mark of 163, traded as low as 1.41 in running on Betfair before his exit, having been sent off 9-1.

Hanlon was understandably gutted, but in stark contrast was winning jockey JJ Slevin's unbridled joy, as he gained sweet compensation for a nose defeat in the 2020 race aboard Moyhenna.

Busselton's win also brought back-to-back wins in the €200,000 feature for Joseph O'Brien, who continues to amass some of jump racing's premier prizes despite a diminishing string.

"It's great to win this after just being beaten a couple of years ago," said an emotional Slevin. "Joseph is down on numbers in terms of his jumps string so it's hard for me to get big opportunities. Thanks to him and everyone for giving me the opportunity. This is for my grandfather Jimmy, who isn't well at the moment."

Slevin added: "I think Hewick was beginning to lay down a strong challenge. Jordan and I are neighbours at home so it would have been a good finish, but I'm glad to have come out on the right side of it.

"With 10st 5lb on his back we were quite hopeful. He hadn't won a big one before but was threatening to. There was always going to be a day for him, thankfully it was today."

JJ Slevin with the Kerry National trophy following Busselton's dramatic victory
JJ Slevin with the Kerry National trophy following Busselton's dramatic victoryCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Hewick was attempting to become only the second horse since Dorans Pride in 1997 to win the Listowel highlight while conceding weight to all rivals, and Hanlon was proud of the seven-year-old's effort.

"They said he couldn't win off top weight but I think he would have done," he said. "He'd gone to the front and we know he stays, having won the bet365 Gold Cup over three miles and five furlongs. It's just unlucky but Jordan and the horse are okay – that's most important."

An ambitious tilt at the $250,000 American Grand National at Far Hills on October 15 is next on the agenda for the €850 bargain buy.

Hanlon said: "We're going to have a lot of fun with him. He's still only seven. He could be anything. If he's okay, the plan is the American Grand National."

Busselton achieved his own slice of history in becoming the first five-year-old since South Lander in 1969 to win the race, with O'Brien's assistant trainer Brendan Powell hailing him as "hard as nails".

Staying out of trouble on the front end was undoubtedly a help to the Michael Burke-owned winner, who returned at 13-2.

Runaway Midlands National winner Hurricane Georgie made a mistake at the first fence and was soon pulled up after 7lb claimer Michael O'Sullivan's stirrup leather broke, while Paul Townend walked away gingerly after being unseated from 5-1 favourite El Barra, trained by Willie Mullins, at the ninth.

It was largely a race to forget for the champion trainer as there was a fatal injury to his Connacht National and Galway festival winner Rock Road, who went wrong on the run to the fourth-last where Busselton's stablemate Fire Attack also came down.

Mullins' 28-1 shot Recite A Prayer posted a smashing effort to finish second, though, while Darasso capped a fine result for O'Brien by claiming third.


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Mark BoylanReporter

Published on 21 September 2022inReports

Last updated 19:28, 21 September 2022

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