Oscar India fits bill in Kerry

HORSE RACING:OSCAR INDIA and Andrew Lynch can prove a match made in Guinness Kerry National heaven at Listowel today by landing the festival feature, writes Brian O'Connor

Eighteen runners line up for the €160,000 event, headed by the topweight Mister Top Notch and including a British raider, Openide, who was runner-up in last season's Kim Muir at the Cheltenham festival.

Throw in the last two Kerry National winners, Ponmeoath and Bothar Na, as well as Ruby Walsh, who is seeking a fourth win in the race, and it is a typically competitive Kerry National.

A crucial factor this year will be the testing ground, and any affect on the pace the race is run at could be vital to Oscar India's chance.

On the face of things he hardly looks an ideal mount for Lynch, who is returning to action after a bad fall at Ballinrobe in late July left him with a broken jaw and a fractured arm. That tumble came just five weeks after Lynch returned from a broken arm.

Oscar India's jumping has been a concern, and Walsh performed wonders to get him to win at Killarney in May.

Against that, however, is his versatility in terms of ground and evidence that there is a good enough engine there to take advantage of carrying just 9.11 today.

A popular fancy is likely to be Green Mile, who represents the "handicap king" Tony Martin. A Downpatrick winner on his last start, Green Mile fell in the Galway Plate on very different ground to this.

Last year's winner, Ponmeoath, is 8lb higher in the ratings this time and may not be suited by today's going either.

That shouldn't be an issue for Oscar India, who has an attractive weight. If Lynch can organise him into a competent round of jumping then trainer Henry De Bromhead can emulate his father, Harry, who won the race a dozen years ago with Bishops Hall.

Walsh might be out of luck in the big race, but the champion jockey looks a significant booking for Quintana in the Beginners Chase.

A hurdles winner on soft ground here last year, Quintana turned into a decent novice and should have learned from his first chase start when he unseated his rider at Clonmel last May.

Jamies Choice is on a four-timer in the two-mile handicap chase, and 12lb hike for winning on heavy going at Tralee last time doesn't look enough to stop him.

Weld close to a decision on Beauty

A CRUCIAL weekend work-out will determine if Profound Beauty will try to maintain Dermot Weld's remarkable record in the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday of November.

Quarantine issues have finally been sorted out with Australian officials to allow Aidan O'Brien's trio of possible Flemington runners, and Profound Beauty, continue their build-up at home.

Australia's quarantine and inspection service have approved facilities at Ballydoyle - where Septimus, Honolulu and Alessandro Volta can be worked before shipping - and also at Weld's Clunemore Lodge stables.

However, Septimus has now been thrown an option of running in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe instead of travelling Down Under, while Weld is postponing a decision on Profound Beauty until after a vital gallop.

"I want to give her a bit of work which, people will appreciate with the current weather, has been difficult. However, there are a couple of dry days forecast so I will try and work her on Saturday. No decision on whether or not she runs in Melbourne will be taken until afterwards," Weld said.

Profound Beauty is a 20 to 1 shot in many lists to follow in the Flemington footsteps of Vintage Crop and Media Puzzle.

Weld's international focus will also be aimed at Santa Anita in late October, as Winchester is on target to run in the Breeders Cup Turf.