MCR Hurdle news

The Wexford yard of Leonard Whitmore is chasing another big handicap hurdle this weekend when Casey Top lines up in the MCR Hurdle.

Whitmore won the very valuable Ballymore 25th Anniversary Hurdle with Brave Right at the 2008 Punchestown Festival.

Now he has his eyes set on the race formerly run as the Pierse with the eight-year-old, who was in good heart in the summer.

"He's going to run in the MCR Hurdle and he's had a little bit of a break to freshen him up for his first time back as he was campaigned all summer running four or five times," said Whitmore.

"This race has sort of been the plan because we thought that we would start back over two miles and it is a good prize. He runs well fresh and he ran a good race at Punchestown at the start of last year.

"I wouldn't say that a bit of cut is important to him - he just wouldn't want it heavy but I'm fairly sure that it won't be.

"The trip might be a bit short for him which would be my concern as he would be better at two and a half miles, but it's a good old pot and we'll take our chance.

"I'm hoping for the best and he would have every chance, you'd hope."

Charlie Swan is another trainer with high hopes as he runs Prince Of Fire.

"I hope that he is going to go for the MCR Hurdle and he seems in good form," said Swan.

"He ran a little bit disappointing over fences and was jumping a little bit low at the obstacles. The season is half over so we thought that we would go back to hurdles and possibly keep him for fences next season.

"It's encouraging that he's already won at Leopardstown, but he probably wouldn't want the ground too heavy, although he's all right on soft. I'm hoping that they don't get too much rain or snow."

Following the latest entry stage, Paddy Power installed Prima Vista as the 5-1 favourite with Casey Top a 20-1 chance and Prince Of Fire at 14s.

Paddy Power said: "I'm not sure that we've got a Comedy Of Errors or Night Nurse among the entries, but this race is always a very lively betting heat and no doubt we'll see a few plots emerge over the next few days!"

MCR Hurdle, Paddy Power bet: 5-1 Prima Vista, 8-1 New Phase, Tijuana Dancer, 12-1 Call The Police, Final Approach, 14-1 Asigh Pearl, Montan, Prince Of Fire, 16-1 Alpine Eagle, Capellanus, Doctor Deejay, Lancetto, Slieveardagh, 20-1 Casey Top, Marlay Park, Mubrook, Mutadarek, Un Hinged, Whodoyouthink, 25-1 bar.