Second Kerry National for Flemensfirth’s son Ponmeoath

18th September 2008

The gutsy Ponmeoath (8g Flemensfirth-Cool N Calm, by Arctic Lord) came home to a huge cheer at Listowel on Wednesday when winning his second successive renewal of the Kerry National.

The famous three-mile chase, with a first prize of nearly 100,000 euros, is one of the most sought after prizes in the early part of the jump season but Ponmeoath came home three lengths clear of his 17 rivals under jockey Paddy Flood to repeat last year’s victory.

"As a young fellow starting out in the game, this is the race I always wanted to win - and I am thrilled to do it for the second time," said winning trainer Eric McNamara.

"It was always the plan to come here and he ran a nice prep race at Cork last time. He really comes alive after a run and he's been working really well the last two weeks.

"The plan would have been to wait a bit longer but he was going so well that Paddy had no option. He's not an out-and-out stayer but he's a classy horse and a very good jumper."

Ponmeoath, who was bred by Mary O’Connor, is owned by the four-person Jolly Up Syndicate, including former Cork hurling star John O’Halloran.