Guinness Kerry National: five runners for any shortlist

Tom Thurgood shares his views on the €200,000 Guinness Kerry National, the highlight of the Listowel Festival. The Tote Galway Plate could be the key form line to Wednesday's Guinness. Kerry. Hewick did well to win at Galways after being impeded by a loose horse up the home straight. Commanche Court won a handicap chase from a mark of 163 or higher in Ireland in 2003.

Hewick was bought for €850 and won last season's Bet365 Gold Cup in Galway. Shark Hanlon is his trainer. The good ground here will be ideal. He won at this meeting last year.

Willie Mullins' novice hurdler has had a good season. Closutton has won three races since 1997. The stable has made a decent start to this year's Harvest Festival with six winners from just the eight races it has contested from 11 runners. There are five runners for the Guinness Kerry National.

Gordon Elliott's horse is going for the Guinness Kerry National. She is progressive and can make her presence felt. Last time she came down at the first fence in the Galway Plate.

Hurricane Georgie won the Midlands National. Michael O’Sullivan has put 7lb in the plate to ease her burden.

Joseph O'Brien's horse is a lightly-raced chaser with just seven starts. He won the Galway Plate three years ago and finished fifth in the Irish Grand National earlier this year. Lord Lariat won at Fairyhouse. Mark Walsh takes the ride for the first time over fences since the big Galways win.

Fire Attack won his handicap debut over fences two starts ago. Joseph O'Brien's horse was going well in the Galway Plate last time. Bryan Cooper is a deputy and is available at 14-1 or more. Shane Fitzgerald is not in his plate this time, so he will not be able to support Fire Attack.