Dine out for Pierse Hurdle glory
The up-and-coming handler is swiftly making a name for himself, plundering high-class contests with Kazal and Lounaos in recent weeks, and has had the €130,000 Leopardstown two-mile handicap in mind for a while.
“It first came into my head when he ran in his third hurdle race when he was second up at Fairyhouse and I decided to get him handicapped,”explained Griffin.
“He’d had two disappointing runs over hurdles before that and then he needed to win at Christmas to come into serious consideration but he did that in a nice manner.
“We were then happy enough to let him take his chance as it is a race in the past that inexperienced horses have done well in.
“Hopefully, he’ll be up to the task but I don’t think he’s value at the price he is and I don’t know where the money has come from.”
Kendor Dine was a dual Group Three winner on the Flat and got off the mark over timber when easing home in a maiden hurdle over course and distance late last month.
“He’s in good form and he’s come out of his Leopardstown race over Christmas really well,” said Griffin.
“He’s in good nick and hopefully he goes there with a chance but it’s a huge step up for him and the lack of experience would be a bit of a concern.
“There’s also the fact that the ground is so heavy and testing there. I know he won on heavy ground at Christmas, but that was not against hardened handicappers.
“I still think he’s a pretty decent horse though. He was high-class on the Flat and he’s an improving horse over hurdles and seems to have cottoned on to what the hurdling game is all about.”
Griffin may not have invested in the six-year-old ahead of the weekend showpiece but ante-post players have not been shy in getting behind the gelding.
Among a host of in-form and promising rivals is the Philip Fenton-trained Son Of Oscar, who flexed his muscles ahead of the valuable prize when second at Leopardstown over the festive period.
He previously registered an impressive success at Cork and has pleased connections in the build-up to his big test.
“Everything’s gone to plan,” said Co Tipperary-based Fenton.
“We’re very happy with the horse and he’s come out of the Leopardstown race in great form.
“We’re well aware that he’ll have to improve from his Leopardstown race but we think he has.
“I was happy enough with that run and I hope it’s just put him right for this race on Sunday.
Victram is another interesting contender and will be out to make amends for his unlucky run in the race last year.
Sent off the 4-1 favourite, he was unsighted at the first flight, bruised a leg and was eventually pulled up.
“He’s in great form,” said trainer Adrian McGuinness. “He’s carrying a good bit of weight but I think the quality might not be as good (as last year).
“The top-rated horse is 130 and there is usually a higher-rated horse in there so we have to go and take our chance.
“He’ll go for the totesport Trophy after that – we put an entry in last week. That’s where we’ll head for after the Pierse.
“And we’ll definitely have a crack at the Imperial Cup again.
“He’s very classy – he’s won several races on the Flat and has a lot of speed,” said McGuinness.
