Galvin and Chatham Street Lad among big names on course for Kerry National

Gordon Elliott has described himself as holding a "strong hand" at the entry stage for next Wednesday's Guinness Kerry National as he bids to win the €150,000 showpiece at the Listowel Harvest festival for a third time.

The trainer, who sent out his first winner since returning from a six-month suspension on Wednesday, is aiming some classy types at this year's race, having won back-to-back runnings with Wrath Of Titans and Potters Point in 2016 and 2017.

They do not come much classier than Galvin, who won the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham while in the care of Ian Ferguson, but is back at Cullentra House Stables where he has been trained for the majority of his career.

Betfair Sportsbook and Paddy Power make Galvin, who will carry joint top weight if taking his chance at Listowel, the pick of Elliott's six entries and have installed him as their 8-1 joint-favourite.

Gordon Elliott: six entries in the Kerry NationalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Elliott said on Wednesday: "I think we have a strong hand. We have a few classy horses in there. Galvin has plenty of weight, but whether he's a definite runner I'm not sure. We'll work him in the morning and then make a plan.

"Conflated likes going left-handed, he's also a classy horse and has form in good Graded races. That's what you need to win a race like the Kerry National, so I'd like his chances.

"Farclas will definitely run. He's been in great form all year and has run some solid races in all the big handicaps. I could see him running well.

"The Big Lense and Aramax should also get in. They would be well capable of being involved if they ran to their best. We have four or five horses in there with solid chances, so fingers crossed one of them goes and wins it. It would be brilliant if we could win it."

Chatham Street Lad's trainer Mick Winters: 'It's lovely to dream and get carried away'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Mick Winters will rival Elliott for the spotlight at Listowel and insists Chatham Street Lad, who will be the trainer's first runner in the race, should not be underestimated provided the rain arrives.

He said: "If the rain comes I would be very sweet on our chances. He looks a million dollars and appears to be in great form at home. He has been in a good while now and we have done plenty with him.

"It's lovely to dream and get carried away in this game but, if we happened to win the Kerry National, we'd be hoping we have a horse capable of running in the big races at Cheltenham. I think that, if there was snow on Gold Cup day, he'd run well in the race. We saw that day at Limerick how well he jumped out of heavy ground – the fences were like hurdles to him.

"The Kerry National would be an amazing race to win in its own right. It means a lot to people down here and we're only too thrilled to be going there with a chance."

Fairyhill Run is the other 8-1 joint-favourite for trainer John Ryan, who could also be represented by Waitnsee. The Tipperary-based operator is in red-hot form having sent out a four-timer at Sligo on Wednesday.

Ryan said: "Fairyhill Run and Waitnsee will run if they get in. Bryan [Cooper] got off Fairyhill Run at Kilbeggan and said it was like riding a Graded horse against handicappers. She absolutely bolted up. She's in the form of her life and is a top-class mare. Waitnsee is a very classy mare as well and we hope she gets in."

Read more:

Over €17 million wagered as Ireland's first Tote World Pool event proves popular

Pat Smullen: family considering release of charity single in honour of top rider

Irish and French officials eager to avoid future Curragh-Longchamp time clashes

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a three-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday