Dorans Pride will return to action in the next big festival chase, the Guinness Kerry National at Listowel in two weeks time.

Trainer Michael Hourigan confirmed the plan yesterday although with Richard Dunwoody and Paul Carberry currently on the sidelines no riding arrangements have been made.

Dorans Pride, winner of the Hennessy Gold Cup last season, hasn't run since Punchestown in April and will have to carry 12st in the Listowel highlight.

His inclusion in the race will mean only four of the current remaining entries will race in the handicap proper. Moscow Express is on 10.7, Siberian Gale has 10.6 and Lucky Town (9.9) and Promalee (9.8) are the others.

Today's Smirnoff Handicap Chase features some of the Listowel lower weights and with Merry Gale on top today with 12st, Function Dream looks set to gain an overdue winning bracket.

Function Dream won three last year, including a decent race at Punchestown in November. However, despite some gallant efforts afterwards, she didn't get her head in front.

A second to Native Man over hurdles at Tipperary in June looked to set her up perfectly for the Galway Plate but she was taken out because of the fast ground.

It's the Plate course and distance today but the ground will be much more to Function Dream's liking and compared to the likes of Nicholls Cross and Colm's Rock, she should be fresh for this.

Eddie Ahern has had an eventful week so far, winning the Moyglare on Sunday and picking up a 21 day ban on Monday, but he can remain in the headlines today courtesy of Spokane in the Vintners' Race.

The Ballinrobe winner wasn't beaten far in the three horse race at Cork by La Serina and could be a better bet to handle the ground than the Tipperary scorer Tianyi.

Ahern could also fancy his chances on Zelden in the Trappers Handicap. This will be the first time this year Zelden has ventured outside Gowran but he won first time up this season and should strip fresh not having run since June 13th.

Barrier Reef has to give weight away all round in the Goffs Race and the concession of 17lbs to Corrib Lady may just be beyond him. Corrib Lady was noted running on well in the closing stages behind Clewbay Charm at Tralee.