Rebel needs rain for National bid

Mick Winters is praying for some cut in the ground at the upcoming Listowel Festival to allow Rebel Fitz to take his chance in the Guinness Kerry National.

The winner of 18 races including the 2012 Galway Hurdle and the 2014 Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse, Rebel Fitz was an odds-on favourite to make a winning return from a 10-month absence at this year's Galway Festival, but was beaten into second as the lack of a recent outing took its toll in the straight.

Winters reports his stable star to have recovered well from those exertions and is looking forward to seeing him back on the racecourse, with the Slan Abhaile Flat race, which he won last term, a possible alternative to the Kerry National if conditions are on the quick side.

He said: " I'm very happy with him and he's entered in the Kerry National and that's the direction we're heading at the moment.

"At this stage the ground won't get enough rain to turn heavy but if it was too firm, he'd skip the Kerry National and wait instead for the Slan Abhaile.

"We'd love to go all guns blazing for the Kerry National as there's great prize-money in all aspects, with plenty of place money too.

"He's working well but if we needed an extra few days with him, then he could wait for the Slan Abhaile."

Davy Russell and Barry Geraghty are the two jockeys to have partnered Rebel Fitz over jumps most recently, but the 10-year-old could be set for a change of rider.

"Obviously Davy Russell is injured and I spoke to the owners and the ride will be offered to Barry Geraghty. However, he probably will have other commitments and if he does, we'll look to some of the jockeys that have ridden for us in the past two years who are just as capable," said Winters.

Rebel Fitz is one of 42 horses that have been entered for this year's race and Paul Nicholls could be represented by Valco De Touzaine.

Shark Hanlon feels Usuel Smurfer has a "big chance".

The seven-year-old disappointed on his return from a break in the Galway Blazers Chase at Ballybrit in late July, but looked much more like his old self when runner-up to Upazo at Tramore last month.

Hanlon s aid: "I've Usuel Smurfer for the Kerry National and he goes there with a big chance if the ground stays good. He'll have a nice weight in it and all my horses are running well at present and I've had four or five winners in a fortnight with plenty of placed horses too."

Last year's winner Your Busy is in the mix again for James Nash.

"He worked great last Friday and I know he is 12, but he works like a six-year-old," said Nash.

"Going into the race last year, his form was a bit in and out, but he has had a much better season this year and Katie Walsh will ride him again. He loves a bit of nice ground and with the way the weather is at the minute, he might get that next week."