Blazing heads Mullins National trio Blazing Tempo heads a three-pronged challenge by Willie Mullins on tomorrow's feature at Listowel as a maximum field of 18 (plus three reserves) were declared for the €160,000 Guinness Kerry National. The Galway Plate hero, generally favourite at around 6/1, is the mount of Ruby Walsh, while Uncle Junior (Paul Townend) and top-weight Scotsirish (Davy Condon) also represent the champion trainer, who won this race in successive years with Euro Leader and Bothar Na (2005 & 2006). Alfa Beat, successful 12 months ago for Charles Byrnes, takes his chance again now under the care of “Shark Hanlon”. The seven-year-old grey has gone up 11lb in the interim (now rated 148), and Dancing Tornado reopposes on 5lb better terms for a three and a half length beating. Ponmeoath, twice successful in this three miles test in both 2007 and 2008, lines up in the Festival highlight for the fifth successive year, while other interesting contenders are recent Galway winner Ballyholland and the Byrnes-trained Bideford Legend. Charlie Longsdon's Minella Boys is the sole British runner after David Pipe took out Qulinton, while Psycho, Daffern Seal and Sebadee will also not be running. Labrokes bet: 6/1 Blazing Tempo, 7/1 Bideford Legend, 10/1 Adams Island, Uncle Junior, Dancing Tornado, Alfa Beat, 12/1 Muirhead, 14/1 Sarteano, 16/1 Lenabane, Ballyholland, Fosters Cross, 20/1 Bar. Alan Magee
