Spider Web tops Munster National contenders

Horse Racing

Racing365
September 30, 2019 4:36 pm

The first five home in last year’s renewal feature among 31 entries for the JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster National at Limerick on October 13.

The Tom Mullins-trained Spider Web, who got up close home in the hands of Luke Dempsey to narrowly deny Na Trachtalai Abu 12 months ago, could bid for back-to-back victories.

The latter, trained by James Motherway, third in the Guinness Kerry National at Listowel recently, is set to be in opposition again.

The third, fourth and fifth – Eric McNamara’s Black Scorpion, Henry De Bromhead’s Full Cry and the Gordon Elliott-trained Alpha Des Obeaux are also in the mix.

McNamara is also responsible for Internal Transfer, who was fourth in the Kerry National.

“He just got a bit tired in the straight, but I was thrilled with the way he jumped and travelled,” said McNamara.

“That was his first run of the season and with normal improvement, I’d be expecting a very big run from him.

He has won three times around Limerick so he clearly likes the place and I’ve been very happy with him since Listowel.

“Black Scorpion ran well over an inadequate trip at Listowel.

He needs every yard of three miles-plus nowadays and he has come on for that.

“He ran well in this race last year and he is in good form and as I said, the step back up in trip will be a big plus for him.

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Elliott’s six entries include the smart novice Dinons and Saturday’s Navan winner The Big Lense, while among Willie Mullins’ four are Yorkhill and Cabaret Queen.

Other interesting entries include the Enda Bolger-trained Movewiththetimes, Liam Cusack’s Galway Plate third Snugsborough Benny and Gavin Crowwell’s Progress Drive, who was formerly with Nicky Richards in Cumbria.