Black Scorpion proves an opening day stinger for McNamara

For trainer Eric McNamara – indeed for all local trainers – winners at the Listowel festival are sweeter than most, and the Rathkeale handler has dreams of returning next year for a Kerry National bid with Black Scorpion after victory in Sunday's feature Kerry Group Handicap Chase.

Under Kevin Brouder, who himself hails from Listowel, the son of Scorpion put in a terrific round of jumping and looked to have taken the measure of front-runner Kylecrue when that one made his only mistake at the final fence. Otherwise, the runner-up put up a fine effort in trying to win the race for the fourth year in a row.

After the winner stung the bookmakers by justifying 7-2 favouritism in the competitive 14-runner contest, McNamara said: "I'd say that was as good a round of jumping as any horse has ever given at Listowel."