Essex in good nick ahead of Pierse tilt

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.

Michael O’Brien’s five-year-old crushed the subsequent multiple Graded winner Solerina in the Curragh contest and has been kept for this two-mile handicap - for which 21 were declared today - ever since.

The former Michael Stoute inmate raced three times over hurdles last term, winning twice before going down by only a length when third to Jonjo O’Neill’s Cherub in a Grade One contest at the Punchestown Festival.