Adrian McGuinness is hoping Timmy Murphy can work the oracle on Victram in a fiercely-competitive renewal of the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

TIMMY MURPHY has landed the plum ride on ante-post favourite Victram in the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Not Left Yet is vying for favouritism with Afrad in tomorrow’s Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle after Timmy Murphy elected to take the ride.

Gary Moore has expressed his concern that Verasi may be in the handicapper’s grip ahead of the Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle at Sandown tomorrow.

Rooster Booster tops a field of 13 for Saturday’s Stanleybet Handicap Hurdle at Haydock, where he is set for a rematch with Royal Shakespeare.

Shay Barry is not worried about the prospect of good ground at Cheltenham tomorrow ahead of Justified’s run in the Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

ESSEX was on the drift yesterday at the head of the market for today’s totesport Trophy Hurdle - but trainer Michael O’Brien is still confident about his chance.

ESSEX, who landed the Irish Cesarewitch last October, will bid to translate his ability to timber when he lines up as the hot favourite for the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown tomorrow.

TIMMY MURPHY will have his appeal against a seven-day ban heard at the Jockey Club next Thursday morning.

IT’S bucket and spade time again with the annual outing on Laytown beach the focus of attention in Irish racing this afternoon.

CALLOW LAKE is a hopeful choice to land as wide open a Guinness Galway Hurdle as there has ever been at Ballybrit this afternoon.

ON a day when the news broke that Tony McCoy is to take over as first jockey to Jonjo O’Neill, the Castletownroche-born trainer celebrated by saddling two Grade One winners at Punchestown with Rhinestone Cowboy and Cherub.

Cherub reversed JCB Triumph Hurdle form with Made In Japan after a thrilling finish to the Colm McEvoy Auctioneers Champion 4YO Hurdle.

Made In Japan, trained by Philip Hobbs and ridden by Richard Johnson, won the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham today.