McGuinness hoping for Murphy magic
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.
The Dublin-based trainer snapped up the in-demand rider when Andrew Lynch, who steered Victram into third place at Sandown last month, broke his arm last weekend.
“He needs to be dropped out a wee bit but we’ve got the best man on board,” said McGuinness.
“The young lad, Andrew Lynch, who rode him at Sandown broke his arm in a schooling accident last Saturday morning. We made a few calls and rang Timmy’s agent here in Ireland and he said he’d ride him.
“We’re delighted to get him.”
McGuinness believes Victram is in the form of his life.
“He did his final piece of work at the Curragh on Wednesday and the chap who rode him there for me said he was in even better form than before the Sandown race,” he added.
The trainer blamed the very heavy ground for his defeat at Sandown when he tired up the hill to finish third to Verasi in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle six weeks ago after looking the likely winner when leading after the second-last flight.
“He’s won on heavy ground in Listowel and Navan, but Sandown was very heavy and was probably just raceable. Some people said he didn’t stay, but it was only two-and-a-half-mile horses that beat him that day,” McGuinness went on.
“He stayed an awful lot better than a lot of other horses that were there. It wasn’t just two-mile horses that beat him.
“The staying part of Sunday’s race does not worry me one slight bit.”
Tony McCoy rides the Christy Roche-trained No Where To Hyde for owner J P McManus, whose colours will also be carried by The Fingersmith.
“Christy is very pleased with him and he’s in good form,” said the owner’s racing manager Frank Berry.
“It’s a very competitive race, but we’re hopeful of a good run.”
Of The Fingersmith from Andrew McNamara’s stable, Berry said: “He’s novicey but he ran well under a big weight last time so we’d like to think he’d run a good race.”
The sole British raider is the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Cherub, who was four lengths ahead of Victram when second to Verasi at Sandown.
He bids to defy top weight in the hands of Davy Russell.
Ruby Walsh partners Adamant Approach for Willie Mullins, who also saddles Inch Island, the mount of David Casey.
Pierse Hurdle betting:
Totesport: 9-2 Victram, 6-1 Escrea, 7-1 No Where To Hyde, 11-1 Fortmassini, 12-1 Arch Rebel, 14-1 Bon Temps Rouler, Dalton, Studmaster, 16-1 Adamant Approach, Kilbeggan Lad, 20-1 Allez Petit Luis, Cherub, Pom Flyer, Rocket Ship, 25-1 bar.
Cashmans: 6-1 Escrea, No Where To Hyde, Victram, 12-1 Fortmassini, 14-1 Kilbeggan Lad, Levitator, Inch Island, 16-1 Arch Rebel, Loughanelteen, Bon Temps Rouler, Studmaster, 22-1 Pom Flyer, 25-1 bar.
