Jane Mangan’s William Hill Blog: Can’t look past ZanaHere in Listowel

William Hill ambassador Jane Mangan talks us through her Kerry National day picks at Listowel.

It is Kerry National Day (4.20pm) at Listowel, and I want to begin with the feature race. Since Snow Falcon in 2018, no winning horse has carried more than 11 stone, and before him, it was Alfa Beat in 2011. For a horse to carry more than 11 stone and win the Kerry National is very rare, but it may well be the case if Zanahiyr has the ability to overcome the statistics. Gordon Elliott is seeking his first win in the race since Potters Point in 2017. Zanahiyr, who was third in the Galway Plate, brings Grade 1 Hurdle and Grade 1 Novice Chase form. He is the real class act of the race, and he’s still only a seven-year-old. Zanahiyr should be the idea of the winner, but I am secretly hoping that Flooring Porter, going left-handed, will lead them on a merry dance and take some stopping, but if anyone can catch him, it is Zanahiyr.

In the first race, the Maiden Hurdle (2.00pm) over two miles, I like Brave Fortune for Pat and Jack Doyle. The pick of his form is when he was behind Nas Na Riogh over two-and-a-half miles back in April; his other good run was over two miles at Thurles behind Chosen Witness. He won’t mind any rain that falls, and he has contested this type of company in the past. He’s a point-to-point winner, and I think Brave Fortune dropping back to two miles will have all the answers in the opening race.

Next up is the Novice Hurdle (2.35pm) over two miles. There are six declared runners, and I think the least experienced over hurdles, Zariygann, can repel the challengers of some of the more experienced horses such as Gaucher. In Zariygann’s sole run over hurdles, he won by 19 lengths around Roscommon. Adapting to the obstacles very well, he has since had a disappointing run on the flat where in that discipline, he is rated 80, but I see him as being much more at home over hurdles, and I think with Jack Kennedy booked again, he will take a lot of beating.

In the Handicap Hurdle (3.45pm), I like the chances of Dorans Law for Phillip Rothwell, because he has opted to take seven pounds off this guy, who won off 106 two runs back under Darragh O’Keeffe. So, with the seven-pound claim, he has effectively come back down to his winning mark again. The race was possibly coming too quick last time; there were only 12 days between winning and underperforming, so I think Dorans Law is better than what we’ve seen on his last start. And on his Ballinrobe form, this three-mile trip won’t be an issue.

In the Mares Novice Chase (4.52pm), I like Broomfield Bijou for Keith Donoghue and Phillip Dempsey. This mare was a natural over fences in her latest start at Wexford in July, and she’s a 125-rated hurdler, having placed in a number of Listed races as well as winning at Punchestown last spring. I think Broomfield Bijou could prove even more useful over fences, and I’m hoping she can do that again here.