Golden Storm the pick

It's five years since Golden Storm won his first race here at the Listowel festival but the Joe Crowley-trained stayer can land the week's biggest prize, the Guinness Kerry National.

On soft ground that is likely to become even more sticky after a relatively dry day yesterday, toughness will be the order of the day but that is one area in which Golden Storm won't lack.

The seven-year-old has packed in 51 races into his career with the last of his 11 wins at Galway last time when he got the better of Fatherofthebride up the testing final hill.

The Kerry air seems to agree with him, however, as he also won twice at the 2000 festival and has scored twice at Tralee.

If he can add today's 90,000 first prize to that it will be a notable success for his veteran trainer whose son in law, Aidan O'Brien, lifted the National pot with Life Of A Lord in 1995.

An intriguing opponent is the sole English raider Haut De Gamme whose trainer Ferdy Murphy won the Irish National in April and who landed this race with Macs Supreme four years ago.

Haut De Gamme ran fourth on his first start for Murphy at Stratford earlier this month but was a smart performer in his native France where he won eight times including at Auteuil.

The Culdee and Verchoyles Lad look dangerous opposition at the bottom end of the handicap but if this comes down to a slog there are few horses you'd rather have on your side than Golden Storm.

Racing opens with a mile and a half conditions race where Valentina Guest can come out on top with normal luck in running.

Fran Berry's mount had her chance ruined with a slipped saddle at Leopardstown last time out and didn't get the run of the race when runner-up to High Priestess on heavy ground at Tralee.

Dangerousdanmagru made Windsor Boy pull out the stops here on Sunday and looks the safest option for the two mile handicap chase while Hickory Hill may be the answer to the maiden hurdle.

Inch Island returned from a break to run a 20 to 1 stormer at Galway behind Fit The Cove. There will be no 20 to 1 about for the second seven furlong handicap but Inch Island can still get the better of Badger Kennedy.