The Guinness Kerry National is the feature race at Listowel today and Gigginstown House Stud are really going for it as they have 6 runners including the first 3 in the betting.

A horse that has caught my eye however is Mad Brian. He has plenty of positives and is currently 14/1.
Mad Brian has only had 7 runs over fences despite being 10 years of age.

He won on chase debut when staying on well over 2m6f to beat Toner D’Oudaries (last seen winning off 150) and Turban (last seen running off a mark of 149).

He has only had 3 other runs between 2m4f and 3m and they were a 2nd over 3m when beating ½ length by Cootamunda in the Troytown Handicap Chase off a mark of 135. Today he will be running off 132.

He finished 6th in the Grade 1 Topaz Novice Chase when beaten by Carlingford Lough who went on to win 2 Hennessy Gold Cups around the same CD.

His other chase run between these distances he was in command when falling 2 out in a Novice chase.

He has tried 4m1f in the Midlands National and after moving into the lead 5 from the finish (about 7f from home) he got tired and ultimately pulled up.

He has had one run this season over 2m1f which was surely too short and this would have been a good fitness run and he has had 22 days off the track since.

His trainer also has a very good record at Listowel. In the last 3 years she has sent 3 horses who were Ongenstown Lad (won @ 20/1), Theholeofthemoon (2nd by a neck @ 10/1) and Royal Boru (unseated 2 out when travelling well).

Running off a mark 3lb lower than his only other handicap chase over this distance when he finished a close 2nd, he looks handicapped to run a very big race here and with his trainer clearly targeting this course and to good success he looks a good each way bet at 14/1.