Tony McCoy will ride the JP McManus-owned dark horse No Where To Hyde in Sunday's Pierse Hurdle as the leading owner goes in search of a first success in the Leopardstown highlight.
No Where To Hyde's trainer, Christy Roche, confirmed the riding arrangement for the lightly raced six-year-old who has been a significant mover in the ante-post market this week.
Roche also has another leading contender for the event with Fortmassini, who has won his last three starts. Both horses worked on the Curragh yesterday and pleased their trainer.
"They are both fit and well," reported Roche. "AP will ride No Where To Hyde and Alan Crowe will be on Fortmassini, who is not out of it by any means. He is a hardy horse who does nothing at home but always shows his best on the racecourse."
Fortmassini has been backed for the Pierse in some ante-post lists, but punters appear to have jumped on the McManus bandwagon with No Where To Hyde dropping from 14 to 1 to 7 to 1 with both Paddy Power and Cashmans over the last week.
It was an encouraging third to Feathard Lady at Fairyhouse last month, where the Pierse joint-favourite Escrea was four lengths behind him in fourth, that has advertised No Where To Hyde's chance.
"He wasn't just 100 per cent the last day and it looks like he has come on a good bit for that. It was a good run," admitted Roche yesterday. "But it is a very difficult race to win. It's so hit and miss on that inside track and you need a lot of luck in running."
Along with McManus, neither Roche nor the 10-time British champion jockey McCoy have won the Pierse.
The Roche-McManus team will also be significantly represented in the Leopardstown Chase with Adarma, who ran fourth in the Paddy Power over Christmas. "She got the three miles well the last day so we're hopeful she can go well again," said the trainer.
After Justified's success at Newbury yesterday, Cashmans have installed Dusty Sheehy's horse as their 7 to 4 favourite for the Baileys Arkle Chase on AIG day at Leopardstown on January 29th. Missed That, who won the Durkan Chase in which Justified exited at the first, has been pushed out to 3 to 1 second best.
Colm Murphy confirmed yesterday that Cheltenham remains a possible target for his star mare Feathard Lady, who suffered a fetlock injury on Tuesday morning. "It's just going to take time to heal," said Murphy. "We were afraid of pushing on for the AIG and doing some real damage. But the good thing is that she doesn't need that much work to get fit."
Murphy had more positive news of his other stable star, Brave Inca, who remains on course for the AIG and a trip to Cheltenham for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle. "He is in great form and has come out of the Bewleys extremely well. It's all systems go for the AIG and I couldn't be happier with him. Hopefully we'll get a clear run and he'll be right for Cheltenham," he added.
Jessica Harrington has reported that the double champion chaser Moscow Flyer could go straight to Cheltenham in search of a third title.
Moscow Flyer won the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown last year on route to the festival, but Harrington said: "The Tied Cottage is not that far away and I may not run him again before Cheltenham. His coat is looking good once more and he is in bouncing form. But I want to see how he does before deciding about plans."
He remains a 5 to 1 shot.
