Favourite eases at head of Trophy market

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.

The gelding eased a point to a general 5-1 for the Newbury event, for which Power Elite was cut all round after being selected on a tipping line.

Essex landed a big gamble in last month’s Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown and attracted support for tomorrow’s race earlier in the week, although the defection of the top-weights meant his weight burden rose to 11st 6lb.