Shrewd Tyner springs Pierse upset
Robert Tyner pulled off a remarkable long-term coup as Spring The Que caused a 16-1 upset in the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown.
The West Cork trainer had been beset by problems with his eight-year-old, who only returned to racing after a long absence when second over a longer trip at Punchestown last month.
Given a ride completely belying his inexperience by 7lb claimer Philip Enright, Spring The Que hit the front after the home turn as Woodhouse and Maralan weakened.
Although Enright’s mount was being reeled in on the run-in when the damaged final flight was bypassed, he had two and a half lengths in hand from joint top-weight Mister Hight, who flew home for second.
New Field kept on for third, while 100-1 chance Maralan was fourth.
Tyner said: “We had put a lot of work into him after his first run, which we were very happy with, and we had a good advantage at the weights here.
“I was a bit worried three out but he kept going to the line.
“He had been off for a year and a half and we thought about going novice chasing earlier in the season but he didn’t come to hand.
“He could go for the County Hurdle at Cheltenham, but to be honest this was the plan – we’ve been thinking about this for two and a half years.”
Of Mister Hight, Willie Mullins said: “He ran a cracker and might go for the Totesport Trophy at Newbury – as will Quatre Heures – and they’ll both come on for the run.”
Next month’s Newbury event is also the likely target of New Field, but not sadly for Jessica Harrington’s Breathing Fire, who was killed after a fall at the first flight.
Timmy Murphy needed to be at his best to drag Point Barrow (14-1) home in a stirring renewal of the Pierse Leopardstown Handicap Chase.
Last year’s Irish Grand National winner was brought down early on in the Paddy Power Chase at the track over Christmas – a race which featured a number of the same stayers as this contest.
It was not one of Murphy’s trademark confident waiting rides as he was hard at work on Pat Hughes’ nine-year-old some way out.
Sound Witness made much of the running with some spring-heeled leaps and was still in contention turning for home, although now trailing game mare American Jennie.
Runner-up A New Story and former Betfred Gold Cup winner Jack High were also travelling well but Point Barrow overhauled his rivals in a blinding finish to prevail by three-quarters of a length.
“Ten days ago I was going to pull him out, but a couple of days later he was a different horse,” said Hughes.
“He ran a blinder in a hurdle at Navan and was hampered in the Paddy Power Chase but going into this race I had him in better form than in the Irish National.”
Point Barrow was cut to 14-1 from 33s by Cashmans and introduced at 16s by Boylesports for the John Smith’s Grand National.
Hughes added: “We might run him over hurdles next and then look at either the English or Irish National.”
Hear The Echo (9-2) was the only horse to last home on the testing ground as he wore down the punch-drunk Justpourit on the run-in to win the Grade Two Paddy Fitzpatrick Memorial Novice Chase.
Davy Russell set the early pace on Mouse Morris’ representative before taking a back-seat behind Mister Top Notch.
When the leader came to grief at the final fence, Justpourit was left with a clear lead but began to move in slow motion and was passed close home to lose by a length and a half.
The winner, a good second to Schindlers Hunt over a shorter trip here last time, will now step up in distance again.
“He stays all day and just jumps and gallops,” said Morris.
“I’ve no real plans for him but the (Dr.) P.J. Moriarty Novices’ Chase (at Leopardsown on February 10) might be an option.
“He needs three miles and any of the three-milers will do.”
Five years after his victory in the Pierse Hurdle, Adamant Approach showed he is no back-number at 13 years old by taking the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Qualifier by a head from Artiste Bay.
Given a cool by Mullins’ young son Patrick, the veteran could return for the final at Cheltenham.
A pile-up at the second last completely changed the context of the P.B.S Beginners Chase as four of the fancied runners all crashed out.
This gifted the race to Oran Climate (12-1), who held off Ballytrim by seven lengths.
Trainer John Paul Brennan said: “We were a bit lucky with the carnage and it made it easier, but he’s still threatened to win.”
Division one of the S.M. Morris Handicap Hurdle went to Lukie Victor (3-1f), with division two going to Ted and Ruby Walsh as Killeen Castle (13-2) held The Paddy Premium by a length and a half.
