Racing: Willie Mullins is downbeat about Bothar Na's prospects of winning the Guinness Kerry National for the second year running at Listowel tomorrow.
The eight-year-old, who defeated Pearly Jack by two lengths 12 months ago, disappointed the County Carlow trainer when only third in a novice hurdle at Galway last week.
"He was very disappointing at Galway. There's no novice hurdle for him the whole week at Listowel otherwise he would have run over hurdles down there," said Mullins.
"He won off a much lower rating last year, so it's going to be hard to see him win it this time."
Tony Martin believes Royal County Star will improve for the outing, having had a summer break since winning his last two starts in April.
"He seems in good form and we'll run him tomorrow to see how he gets on," said the Co. Meath trainer.
"He was off for the summer, it's his first run back so we'll see how he goes. It's first run of the year. All we want is for him to come back safe. Hopefully he'll improve for the run"
A maximum field of 18, plus three reserves, have been declared for the €160,000 handicap chase over three miles with the field headed by Dermot Weld's admirable veteran Ansar.
The 11-year-old, dual winner of the Galway Plate, showed he was no back number when fourth to Sir Frederick in this year's renewal seven weeks ago.
The Martin Todhunter-trained Just In Debt, third in this race last year and in 2003, is one of two British challengers. The other is Brendan Duke's Openide.