The Guinness Kerry National Handicap Chase is the highlight of the Listowel Festival and this year's renewal is as competitive as ever.
The weights are headed by Galway Plate hero Carlingford Lough, who renews rivalries with Ballybrit placegetters Quantitativeeasing, Jacksonslady and Muirhead, as well as the Willie Mullins pair Terminal and Lambro, who were both down the field in the Plate.
The champion trainer also has Sweet My Lord lurking at the foot of the weights, while, in addition to Carlingford Lough, Quantitativeeasing and Jacksonslady, owner JP McManus will have his colours carried by the progressive Double Seven, Like Your Style and Shot From The Hip.
Eye Of The Storm was a costly second on his return from a break at Galway last week but is entitled to strip sharper as he attempts to make amends in the Edmund & Josie Whelan Memorial Listowel Stakes.
Minsk was third in the Listed contest 12 months ago and reappears, possibly with a view to a National Hunt campaign, so the chief stumbling block may come in the shape of Mullins' recent Curragh winner Levanto.
Aidan O'Brien has left Craftsman in Saturday's Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury, but he keeps his sights low for the time being and he will be fancied to better his debut second when he lines up in the opening Listowel Arms Median Auction Maiden at 2.25.
Saturday's easy Curragh victor Eighteen Summers strives to defy a 5lb penalty in the Seamus Mulvaney Handicap, while Enigma Code struck on the beach at Laytown and has a 4lb higher mark to contend with as he steps up in distance for the Exchange Inn Ballybunion & Kevin Brodericks Bar Listowel Handicap.
Flatfoot Boogie accounted for Lots Of Memories, Bally Longford and Banana Flambe at Killarney and attempts to confirm his superiority in the Ballygarry House Hotel Novice Hurdle.
