Barker Lands Big Prize For Barrett County Meath trainer James Barrett was on cloud nine after his progressive Barker landed a major prize for the up-and-coming yard in the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown.Barrett, who had saddled just four winners prior to cheering home the 10-1 shot, admitted connections had only been tempted to go for the 130,000 euro two-miler after the seven-year-old had won so impressively at Fairyhouse last month.The team also harboured concerns about the heavy going but Barker adapted perfectly and finished his race strongly to deny 33-1 chance Brave Right by a length and a quarter.A jubilant Barrett said: 'If he hadn't have won so well last time he would never have run here as the plan was to go novice chasing.'To win the Pierse Hurdle with only your fifth winner is amazing ? things aren't going so bad.'Barrett continued: 'That was awesome. We were afraid of the ground, but Timmy (Murphy) said he handled it and they were going so fast it suited him.'I was happy that he stayed two and a half miles beforehand and he has galloped all the way to the line. He dropped the bit and jumped and travelled well throughout and everything just went right for him.'Barker's regular jockey Martin Mooney is temporarily sidelined and Barrett went on: 'I feel sorry for Martin.'We rang him for advice on how to ride the race as he's a really important part of the team and he'll ride him the next day.'We'll have a look at the County Hurdle at Cheltenham now, but we'll get over today first.'There were plenty more Festival clues on offer on an intriguing card, with Glencove Marina making the biggest splash in the ante-post markets.Willie Mullins' charge ran out a deeply impressive winner of the Paddy Fitzpatrick Memorial Novice Chase to complete a 43-1 treble for Ruby Walsh.After beating Finger Onthe Pulse by a ready 10 lengths, Glencove Marina received a 6-1 quote from Cashmans for the Arkle at Cheltenham, although Paddy Power offer 9s and Stan James 12s.Future plans were not immediately clear and the last-named firm also offer 16-1 for the Royal & SunAlliance.Walsh said: 'We've always loved this horse and I've always thought this is the best horse we've had in Willie's yard for some time.'The way he jumped and travelled today, he was just a cut above the rest. He's a proper horse,' he told At The Races.Mullins added: 'We'll probably come back here for a race on Hennessy day (February 10).'He'll be entered for all the big races at Cheltenham. He could have the speed to drop in trip for an Arkle but he looks like he might be more of a stayer.'David Casey was taken to hospital for assessment after taking a crashing fall aboard Perce Rock.Casey, standing in for the injured Tony McCoy, has suffered a terrible run with injuries in the past and was knocked out for a brief spell before regaining consciousness.Scotsirish (7-2) had earlier outpointed the highly-regarded Wins Now in the P.B.S. Beginners' Chase to earn himself quotes of 16-1 for the Arkle.VC Bet and Totesport both offer that price, with the latter firm also offering the same about Wins Now.Mullins said: 'We are delighted with that. He's bred for good ground and that was the only concern coming here.'We'll have to look at the (Irish) Arkle here now (January 27) for him.'Davy Fitzgerald's Mister Top Notch put up a monster performance under the steadying burden of 11st 10lb to win the valuable Pierse Leopardstown Handicap Chase in the hands of Conor O'Dwyer.After seeing off King Johns Castle by a length and a quarter to land odds of 14-1, Fitzgerald said: 'I was very worried about the ground. After Conor rode him in the John Durkan Chase he said never to run him on that ground again.'We'll go for the Hennessy now. That looks the plan as he loves this place, which is a real help.'O'Dwyer, who saddled his first winner as a trainer when Hangover struck at Punchestown on Saturday, said: 'The riding is easier!'It's heavy ground out there but it was loose enough where I went out wide on him.'He was super and he jumped great and has a bit of class about him.'(C) PA Sport
