Prima Vista 5-1 favourite for Sunday's MCR Hurdle

Noel Meade: trains Sunday's MCR Hurdle favourite Prima Vista

  PICTURE: Caroline Norris  Prima Vista 5-1 favourite for MCR Hurdle By Brian Fleming 1:59PM 4 JAN 2011 PRIMA VISTA has been installed as the 5-1 favourite with Paddy Power for Sunday's MCR Hurdle, formerly run as the Pierse Hurdle, after 29 entries remained at Tuesday's forfeit stage.

RELATED LINKS MCR Hurdle card MCR Hurdle betting Free bets  The Noel Meade-trained Prima Vista was raised 15lb for his facile win at Leopardstown last month and is likely to be joined inthe €100,000 contest by stablemate Asigh Pearl, raised 6lb for beating top-rated Fosters Cross by two lengths at Fairyhouse in December.

 

Wexford trainer Len Whitmore, who has just four horses in his care, is hoping that 20-1 chance Casey Top can register a rare big-race win for the yard.

The former winning Irish pointer won a valuable handicap hurdle at Killarney in July and is reported to be on target for Sunday's race by his trainer.

Whitmore said: "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.

"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."

Tony Martin, who won the race with the well-backed Xenophon in 2003, has three remaining - Montan, Northern Alliance, Tijuana Dancer - while Dermot Weld, successful with Archive Footage in 1999, is represented by New Phase. 

Ireland's champion trainer Willie Mullins won this race with Adamant Approach in 2002 and he has left in Call The Police, Doctor Deejay and Final Approach.

The race failed to attract a sole British-trained entry as it was race was whittled down from the original entry list of 48, while the going at Leopardstown was described as soft on Tuesday. 

MCR Hurdle

Paddy Power bet: 5 Prima Vista, 8 New Phase, Tijuana Dancer, 12 Call The Police, Final Approach, 14 Asigh Pearl, Montan, Prince Of Fire, 16 Alpine Eagle, Capellanus, Doctor Deejay, Lancetto, Slieveardagh, 20  Casey Top, Marlay Park, Mubrook, Mutadarek, Un Hinged, Whodouyouthink, 25 Belord, 33 bar.

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