Leopardstown and Punchestown previews: No Where To Hyde may be the most inexperienced horse among the 27-runner field for tomorrow's Pierse Hurdle, but that can prove no barrier to success in the first major event of 2006.
The €130,000 feature has proved frustratingly elusive over the years for No Where To Hyde's owner, JP McManus, and jockey Tony McCoy and trainer Christy Roche are trying to get off the mark in the race too.
A horse who made his debut just 17 months ago, and has ran just three times since, would not normally seem a prime candidate for such an ultra-competitive event, but No Where To Hyde looks an exception.
A staying-on third to Feathard Lady at Fairyhouse last month looks the best single piece of form in tomorrow's race and, significantly, he had another of the market leaders, Escrea, back in fourth and is still better off at the weights.
That is due to the 9lb penalty Escrea picked up for winning here at Christmas, and that hike could be vital. Instead, a lot of ante-post support has come for Victram, whose flat form makes him look thrown in here off a mark of 111.
Timmy Murphy's task will be to secure a clear run from the back of the field, and with 26 opponents around Leopardstown's notoriously tight inside track that may prove problematic.
The triple Derby-winning jockey John Murtagh is on board Arch Rebel, while last year's winning team of Michael O'Brien and Barry Geraghty have an interesting contender in Levitator.
But if there is a dark horse on the up in this year's Pierse, it looks to be No Where To Hyde.
McManus and Roche also look to have a shout in the €100,000 Leopardstown Chase, where Adarma can make it third time lucky over three miles.
A fourth place in the Troytown was followed by a similar placing in the Paddy Power, and it's worth betting that she can reverse those Paddy Power placings with Black Apalachi, Camden Tanner and Ross River.
Nickname made quite an impression on his Irish debut here at Christmas, handing out an easy beating to Our Ben. The Drinmore runner-up Father Matt will provide a valuable form link, but a bigger danger could be The Railway Man, whose Navan debut in November was very impressive.
Back To Bid was described as a slow learner by trainer Noel Meade after his first hurdles start. But the six-year-old was clearly paying attention in class before he ran here at Christmas. Back To Bid ran on and off the bridle, but still emerged an impressive winner, and with that experience under his belt he will be hard to beat in the opener.
Some big names are at the top of the weights in the Pertemps Qualifier, but a winner could come from the other end of the scale. Kings Advocate looks a stayer with potential and can go in for the Kicking King team of Barry Geraghty and Tom Taaffe.
The highlight at Punchestown today is the Grade Three Juvenile Hurdle, where the placers from the big three-year-old pot at Leopardstown over Christmas renew rivalry.
Dreux is better in with Clear Riposte this time, and with the accent again on stamina Tom Cooper's horse has a big shout.
Ivan de Vonnas ran an eye-catching race behind Major Vernon at Punchestown last month and Arthur Moore's horse has always looked a chaser in waiting. The Beginners Chase this afternoon can prove that.
The Willie Mullins bumper team are cranking into top gear, and Polar Call should improve significantly for a debut at Navan behind Celtic Sammy.
Ruby Walsh is back in the saddle today with two rides at Warwick for Paul Nicholls. He has been sidelined since New Year's Day when falls in successive races from Le Duc and Sporazene forced the jockey to take a break with a sore leg.