Martin hoping for Leopardstown rain

Tony Martin would like to see rain ahead of the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday for his two runners, Psycho and Robin du Bois.

The pair head the betting as 7-1 joint-favourites with William Hill for the 110,000 contest that has attracted a maximum field of 30.

They are both proven in testing conditions and the going at the Dublin track is currently described as yielding, although some rain is forecast this weekend.

“They are two horses that go on softish ground, the softer the ground the better as it will slow the others down a bit hopefully. I’d love to see it a bit softer for both,” said the County Meath trainer.

“I hope they both put their best foot forward and come back in one piece.”

Psycho showed he was a force to be reckoned with in big handicaps when just failing by three-quarters of a length to peg back Pierse rival Silver Jaro in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

“He ran very last year in Cheltenham, he was a bit unlucky then we went a bridge too far and went to Fairyhouse with him but he’s coming back to himself now,” Martin went on.

“He seems in good form and we’re hoping for a good run.”

Robin du Bois, who ran over three miles at the Festival in the Pertemps Hurdle Final, staked his claim for the Pierse by winning at Cork in November.

“You’d hope he’d have a good chance as well. He ran well in Cork, but the more you have in a race like this better and I’m hoping both will go well,” he added.

Owner JP McManus has no less than three chances of scooping the prize with Wanango, Dancing Tornado and Alpine Eagle carrying his colours.

Dancing Tornado, trained by Michael Hourigan, showed he was ready for the task ahead when successful over the course and distance two weeks ago.

“Dancing Tornado won well the last day and has come out of the race good, Michael’s happy with him,” said the owner’s racing manager Frank Berry.

“We’re hoping for a good run. He got a 4lb penalty for winning, but you’d have to expect that.”

Alpine Eagle, from Jessica Harrington’s stable, was only caught close home when beaten a length at Limerick on Boxing Day.

“He ran a big race at Limerick, but he just got chinned,” Berry went on.

“He’s in good form. He lacks a bit of experience, but he has a nice weight and he won’t mind if the ground stays good.”

The Tommy Stack-trained Wanango reverts to the smaller obstacles after coming a cropper at the final fence at Cork last month.

“He was running a big race at Cork the last day when he fell at the last. He seems in good form and we’re hoping for the best,” Berry added.