Robert Tyner pulled off a remarkable long-term coup as Spring The Que caused a 16-1 upset in the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Mick Fitzgerald has been booked to partner Powers Whisky Irish Grand National favourite Dun Doire by trainer Tony Martin.

Studmaster will bypass Saturday’s Sunderlands Imperial Cup at Sandown and could also miss next week’s Cheltenham Festival.

ANTE-POST favourite Hardy Eustace will face 14 rivals as he bids for a second successive win in tomorrow’s Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Tony McCoy is in line for the plum ride on Essex in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

Tony McCoy is in line for the plum ride on Essex in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

Trainer Michael O’Brien is eyeing a big-race double with Essex after the five-year-old justified favouritism in the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown yesterday.

FEATURE event at Leopardstown tomorrow is the Pierse Hurdle, where only a super optimist could be in any confident about finding the winner.

Punters are spoilt for choice tomorrow with eight meetings in Britain, and those looking for value could do worse than side with Bustan at Kempton Park.

Dancing Bay is likely to bypass Ascot on Saturday in favour of a trip to either Uttoxeter or Ireland.

Grinkov became only the fourth favourite in 25 years to capture Ireland's richest handicap over timber when he won the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown.