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Deans Road aims to continue excellent Listowel record in feature handicap chase

Deans Road: two wins and a third from three starts at Listowel
Deans Road: two wins and a third from three starts at ListowelCredit: Alain Barr

4.40 Listowel
Kerry Group Handicap Chase | 2m4f | 4yo+ | RTV

Listowel is undoubtedly a popular venue for racegoers but ten-year-old handicap chaser Deans Road is also a big fan of his trips to 'The Kingdom' having achieved form figures of 1-1-3 at the Kerry venue.

Sunday's topweight, one of two runners for Henry de Bromhead, in the €40,000 feature, attempts to improve on his third place last year, while Willie Mullins also launches a two-pronged attack.

Galway runner-up Ask Susan will be ridden by Paul Townend and former Dan Skelton-trained seven-year-old Cabaret Queen has the assistance of David Mullins.

Another runner having his first start for a new stable is Gwencily Berbas, formerly a classy hurdler for Alan Fleming and Barry Connell, now making his debut for Eric McNamara.

John Ryan's ill-fated stalwart Kylecrue won this three times in a row from 2015 to 2017 before finishing second 12 months ago.

Ask Susan (red) has run creditably in all four starts for Willie Mullins without getting her head in front
Ask Susan (red) has run creditably in all four starts for Willie Mullins without getting her head in frontCredit: Alain Barr

The Templemore trainer, who saddled 11 winners last season, is already on eight for the current campaign and saddles two runners for this competitive handicap, Reach Up and Father Jed.

JP McManus also is doubly represented with Nearly Nama'd and The Big Lense as he tries to win the race for the first time since Torphichen's victory in 2012.


What they say

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Deans Road and Killiney Court
Deans Road has got some good form around Listowel. He won a couple of starts ago at Tipperary and we're hopeful he can run well again. Killiney Court won over hurdles a few starts ago and hopefully he can go well back over fences here. He has a low weight.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Ask Susan and Cabaret Queen
Ask Susan ran well at Galway and hopefully she can show the benefit of that run now. She has a nice low weight. Cabaret Queen is having her first start for us and we'll get an idea of her Irish handicap mark. The trip and ground should suit her.

Gwencily Berbas makes his first start for Eric McNamara on Sunday
Gwencily Berbas makes his first start for Eric McNamara on SundayCredit: Alain Barr

Frank Berry, racing manager to JP McManus, owner of Nearly Nama'd and The Big Lense
Nearly Nama'd put up a good performance to win at the course earlier in the year. His fall last time at Killarney seemed to be out of character but he seems to have come out of it okay and we're hoping for a good run. The Big Lense always looked as though he was going to be a chaser but you'd have to say he's been a bit of a disappointing horse so far. Hopefully fences will bring out the best in him and Gordon [Elliott] says he's in good form, so we're hoping for a good run.

Eric McNamara, trainer of Gwencily Berbas
I bought him at the sales at Doncaster in May and left him off for a break to freshen him up. He's been working well and schooling well since we've brought him back. Hopefully he has a good each-way chance in what looks to be an open race.


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Mark BoylanReporter

Published on 7 September 2019inPreviews

Last updated 16:51, 7 September 2019

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