| Pierse Hurdle is a puzzle for punters BY
DAVID THORPE After the majesty of the festive racing programme, the jumps
season gets back to its roots with the Pierse Handicap Hurdle at
Leopardstown this weekend.
Big field handicaps are the hardest races for any punter to come out on
the right side of and this year’s renewal of the Pierse looks a
particularly scrappy affair.
The likely favourite on the day will be the Adrian McGuinness--trained
Victram. A solid and consistent performer he will have a major chance at
the weights but could be a short enough price on the day.
Preference is for Escrea, trained by the excellent Paul Nolan. Escrea
tottered up in a decent race over Christmas and has some excellent form
against serious horses.
Escrea has a good racing weight and it’s quite likely that talented
apprentice Robbie Moran will reduce that weight further with his claim.
Another to consider is Fortmassini. The Christy Roche-trained gelding
won a race off featherweight recently and had the look of a horse being
tuned up for bigger things. Fortmassini will be near the bottom of the
handicap and is certainly worth a closer look.
An each way proposition might be Alleaz Petit Luis, who has been in the
grip of the handicapper of late but will have a chance of a placed
effort in this at a real punters price.
One thing is for certain — the biggest winners from the Pierse Hurdle
Handicap will be the bookmakers. |
