Shane Fitzgerald crowns a memorable summer as Assemble lands Kerry National

A fine jumping performance by Assemble helped him to secure victory in a memorable Guinness Kerry National, giving trainer Joseph O’Brien his first win in the race and rider Shane Fitzgerald his biggest victory, crowning a great summer for the 7lb claimer.

It looked as though Gigginstown House Stud’s main chance of victory had gone when favourite Conflated exited at the third before Farclas unseated Jordan Gainford three out when still with a chance.

Fitzgerald charted a wide path on Assemble, and when he came to challenge Annamix in the straight there was going to be only one winner as he stayed on well to repel the late surge of topweight Brahma Bull by two and three-quarter lengths with the gallant Annamix in third.

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Fitzgerald’s star continues to rise. This was a 22nd winner of the season for the 7lb claimer – only Darragh O’Keeffe and Gainford have ridden more winners.

He said: “It feels absolutely unreal. We knew after the run he had in the Galway Plate when he was seventh that he could take a lot of beating and thankfully it worked out well.

“I was away from a lot of the trouble, a bit wider out. Everything played out great.”

He added: “I have to give a massive thank-you to Joseph O’Brien, Gigginstown and all the staff in the yard. It was some thrill. To be on a horse of that calibre alone is just unreal, it’s hard to describe.”

O’Brien’s assistant trainer Brendan Powell said: “He got everything together today and since Shane got on him his jumping has improved.

“He’s a great horseman and a great lad over a fence, he has a lot of confidence in the horse and the horse has a lot of confidence in him.
“I can see Shane going far. He had him in a lovely position the whole way and when he turned in I knew he would stay well.”

He added: “His fifth in the Paddy Power Plate at Cheltenham was a good run and he had been second to Envoi Allen so his form was rock-solid although his jumping was getting in the way.

“He stays well and he could be an Irish National type of horse, but that’s up to Joseph and Mr O’Leary.

“He’ll cope with softer ground but but I think proper good ground is better for him. There are plenty of good prizes he can win early in the season on good ground here or in the UK.”

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