Murphy Handed Victram Ride Timmy Murphy has landed the plum ride on ante-post favourite Victram in the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday. Trainer Adrian McGuinness reports the horse in fine form on the gallops at home and it is all systems go ahead of one of the most competitive races of the season at the Dublin track. 'The Pierse is the plan and he?s in great form,' said McGuinness. 'He does his final piece of work tomorrow. 'He worked very, very well last week and he also went well when we worked him after racing on New Year?s Day at Fairyhouse. 'We have booked Timmy Murphy for Sunday. He?s not ridden him before but I have sent him DVDs of his last five or six races and he?s already had a look at Sandown. 'We are delighted to get him as Victram?s regular jockey Andrew Lynch broke his arm last Saturday morning.' There are still 36 horses engaged in the race following the five-day declaration stage and McGuinness had been concerned that his six-year-old could struggle to get in at the weights. 'We were very worried we wouldn?t get in but I?ve had a call through on Tuesday morning telling me we?re definitely in so that?s a relief,' McGuinness continued. Victram crossed the Irish Sea for his last run in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle last month when he finished third to Verasi after looking the winner at the last. 'He was third at Sandown last time but it was really very heavy ground, I would have said just raceable, so he ran a cracking race,' added the trainer. 'Although he has won on soft and heavy that was too heavy for him and the hill really took it?s toll - he will be better on a flat track. 'If he runs very, very well he might go for the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury and then we would be looking at Cheltenham or the Irish Lincoln, which he won last year.'? PA Sport
