Wednesday 17th September 2014

The Kerry National looks a decent betting contest and I've had three interests.

4:40 Listowel - Guinness Kerry National Handicap Steeplechase (Grade A) 3m

Selections:

Usuel Smurfer 3pts win @ 10/1 (Betfair Sportsbook, guaranteed, 9/1 generally guaranteed)

Heaney 3pts win @ 11/1 (Skybet, Paddy Power, Betfair Sportsbook, guaranteed, 10/1 generally guaranteed)

Cootamundra 1pt each-way AND 1pt win @ 33/1 (Generally guaranteed)

Quite how so many horses who are unproven at the three mile distance occupy such lofty positions in the market for this race I do not know. Alderwood, Burn and Turn, Usuel Smurfer, Klepht, Jacksonslady, Pass The Hat and Shanpallas are all without a win over today's distance and it puzzles me as to why some of them are where they are in the market.

 Usuel Smurfer is at least lightly raced, and has won over 2m6 1/2 furlongs in a 22 runner handicap at Fairyhouse, and I both like the form and think he is the one of the above named who can improve most for the step up in trip. His Galway run, headed when giving 21lb to the in form Aranhill Chief, looks strong and as a progressive second season chaser he has a decent profile for a race like this. 9/1+ looks a fair price and he is our first selection.

Heaney represents Tom Taaffe, and as a seven year old son of Flemensfirth he should be just starting to come into his own. He appears to have been laid out for this race and looks to be on a fair handicap mark of OR128. His Leopardstown and Fairyhouse runs from last season would give him every chance here, and I think it was a decent achievement for a horse to finish sixth in an Irish National on his third handicap start. He looks sure to bag a decent pot for Taaffe sooner rather than later, and with his ability to run well fresh confirmed at Fairyhouse, he looks worth supporting at double figure prices today.

Cootamundra is offered as an each-way selection at a much bigger price. He is an eleven year old, but three miles on good ground holds no fears as his Troytown win from 2013 would suggest. He put in two reasonable efforts at Galway and Killarney recently, when conditions weren't necessarily in his favour, and the return to three miles on a left handed track in a big field will suit him. Again there are no doubts about his stamina and he seems overpriced off a nice racing weight. He won the Troytown off OR125 and looks capable of getting competitive off today's mark of OR130. We'll play him to small stakes each-way and win.

Profit & loss: day: -9.00 / month: -35.00 / year: +313.05