Racing:Alfa Beat continued his sensational run of form with victory in the Kerry National at Listowel. Charles Byrnes' grey was sent off at 6-1 having won each of his last four starts, with his chase rating rising some 45lb in that period.
Kept wide in search of the better ground by Barry Geraghty, the six-year-old travelled strongly throughout and came to challenge the prominently-ridden Galway Plate hero Finger Onthe Pulse on the turn for home.
The grey began to get on top on the run to final fence and after safely making his way to the other side, he stretched clear on the run-in to score by three and a half lengths.
Favourite Dancing Tornado made a number of mistakes but plugged on at the finish to fill the runner-up spot under Tony McCoy, with Finger Onthe Pulse a creditable third and Swift Counsel fourth.
"I'm over the moon. We were unlucky in this race seven years ago when Cloudy Bays had the race won and unseated at the second last. We were very disappointed then but this has made up for it," said Byrnes.
"We thought the ground might have gone on us this morning. Barry made a brave decision as he said the horse was not travelling well on the ground but when he pulled him out wide he grabbed hold of the bit again.
"Good ground is a must for this horse. He's still only a novice and I doubt if there will be a higher rated novice this side of Christmas. My long term plan for him has always been the four-mile race at Cheltenham. He's a horse that's very well handicapped over hurdles compared to his chase mark and we may look at something there as well."
Listowel results
14:25 The Irish Wire Products European Breeders Fund Maiden
1st Qubuh 10/3
2nd Mykonos 14/1
3rd Byte The Bullet 33/1
4th Annamay 25/1
15:00 The Exchange Inn Ballybunion & Kevin Brodericks Bar Listowel Handicap
1st Maundy Money (GB) 14/1
2nd Picture Perfect 10/1
3rd Little Arrows 6/1
4th Greatwallofchina (USA) 8/1
15:35 The Ladbrokes 1800 777 888 Conditions Race
1st Clearwater Bay 7/4fav
2nd Icon Dream 5/1
3rd Magen's Star 9/2
16:05 The Ballygarry House Hotel Novice Hurdle
1st One Cool Tornado 9/2
2nd Casey Top 9/2
3rd Battle Group (GB) 7/1
4th Bavard Court 33/1
16.35 Guinness Kerry National Handicap Steeplechase (Grade A)
1st Alfa Beat 6/1
2nd Dancing Tornado 7/2fav
3rd Finger Onthe Pulse 14/1
4th Swift Counsel 16/1