Beat storms home in Kerry National

Alfa Beat continued his winning streak when claiming the €160,000 Guinness Kerry National in front of a massive crowd of 26,994 at Listowel.

Charles Byrnes' gelding came into the Festival highlight on a hot streak of four wins and continued on the upgrade with a convincing success in the three-mile event.

Galway Plate winner Finger Onthe Pulse and Archie Boy cut out the running until the later crashed out at the fourth last.

Alfa Beat was sent up to join Finger Onthe Pulse at the third last and the pair settled down to fight it out in the straight.

A good jump sealed it at the last for Alfa Beat, who powered clear for a three-and-a-half length success. Dancing Tornado sent off 7/2 favourite, wasn't helped by a mistake six out but finished to good effect to take second on the line from Finger Onthe Pulse.

"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."

The crowd for Wednesday was up slightly from last year's figure of 26,969 to 26,994. The Tote aggregate figure dropped however, from €395,193 to €369,756.

Paul Carberry gave up his remaining rides after the fall of Oscar Looby in the race.