McManus three-handed in bid to break Pierse hoodoo The Pierse Hurdle is one of the few big handicaps to have eluded leading owner JP McManus but he has no less than three chances of scooping the valuable prize this year with Wanango, Dancing Tornado and Alpine Eagle. The Michael Hourigan-trained Dancing Tornado warmed up for Sunday's feature when successful over the course and distance two weeks ago. 'Dancing Tornado won well the last day and has come out of the race good, Michael's happy with him,' said McManus' racing manager Frank Berry. 'We're hoping for a good run. He got a 4lb penalty for winning but you'd have to expect that.' Alpine Eagle, a useful sort on the Flat, has taken well to hurdles for Jessica Harrington and was only caught close home by Quiscover Fontaine at Limerick on St Stephen's Day. 'He ran a big race at Limerick but just got chinned. He's in good form and, while he lacks a bit of experience, he's got a nice weight and won't mind if the ground stays good,' said Berry. The Tommy Stack-trained Wanango reverts to hurdles after falling at the final fence at Cork last month. 'He was running a big race at Cork the last day when he fell at the last. He seems in good form and we're hoping for the best,' Berry added.
