WILLIE MULLINS is readying a formidable eight-strong team for the first major prize of the new jumps season.

With £100,000 going to the winner, the Grade 3 Guinness Kerry National at Listowel always attracts a strong field having been won in the past by the likes of Cheltenham Festival hero Flooring Porter.

Willie MullinsWillie Mullins has entered eight runners in the first big pot of the new jumps season Credit: PA

Closutton boss Mullins and nephew Danny Mullins bagged the pot last year with Spanish Harlem.

And National Hunt’s biggest trainer looks all set to unleash a small army in the bid to go back-to-back on September 23.

While Spanish Harlem will not defend his crown, Galway Plate winner King Alexander could prove his No1.

His summer success came as part of a remarkable big-race double for Daniel King, who also claimed the Galway Hurdle in a magical couple of days.

Sent off 20-1, King Alexander was up with the pace throughout and looks like he will have no problem staying three miles at Listowel.

Hoisted 8lb for his Galway success to 148, the eight-year-old is Mullins’ second-highest rated possible runner in the field behind 149-rated Funiculi Funicula.

He was sent off 9-2 fav for the Plate but was pumped a good 30 lengths under Paul Townend.

Mullins has also entered Spread Boss Ted, Uncle Pat, Ballygunner Castle, You Oughta Know, A Penny A Hundred and Youradreamer.

It looks like the key to solving this particular puzzle, though, does come from that Galway race.

Catching the eye in fifth that day and staying on at the end was Henry de Bromhead’s Downmexicoway.

The choice of stable jockey Darragh O’Keeffe then, he carried the most weight of any horse finishing in the top six.

In a busy, bustling field he made a few jumping mistakes and never seriously looked like winning.

But he ran there following a 141-day break having finished fourth in the Sun Racing Plate at Cheltenham Festival.

Grade 3s look the right level for him – especially after he pushed subsequent Grade 1 winner Gold Dancer, who sadly died after his Mildmay Novices’ Chase win at Aintree, a long way at that level at Tipperary last October.

De Bromhead has posted footage of Downmexicoway – who is unexposed over the full three miles and 7-1 for the race – enjoying some work on the beach.

It all points to him being readied for the first National of the season, a raced De Bromhead won in 2019 with Poker Party.

Kerry National odds via Paddy Power

5-1 King Alexander, Nowwhatdoyouthink
7-1 Conyers Hill, Downmexicoway
8-1 Funiculi Funicula, Kings Hill
10-1 Three Card Brag
12-1 French Dynamite
16-1 A Penny A Hundred, Uncle Pat, Ballygunner Castle, Will The Wise, Ol Man Dingle
20-1 bar

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

  • Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
  • Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
  • Never chases their losses
  • Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
  • Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
  • Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our .