RACING NEWS:THE 2006 Champion Chase winner Newmill is set to carry topweight when he has a first start over flights for over a year in Sunday's Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Newmill will carry 11st 10lb in the €110,000 highlight and his inclusion will be good news to many of the connections of lightly weighted horses for the Pierse ahead of this morning's final declaration stage. A maximum field of 30 is expected.

Trainer John Murphy indicated yesterday that he is prepared to run his stable star providing there is no dramatic changes in the ground conditions at Leopardstown, which are currently "yielding" on the hurdles track.

"It looks like we are looking at yielding or good to yielding, and if that's the case he will run. If for some reason it changed and became gluey then he won't," the west Cork-based trainer said.

Newmill hasn't raced over hurdles since the 2007 Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse won by Aitmatov.

The former Cheltenham hero has been out of form in his recent starts over fences and was last of seven behind Big Zeb in the Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

"Hopefully he can run well on Sunday. The good thing is that he looks like getting decent ground, which is something he hasn't seen for a couple of years," Murphy added.

The ante-post mover yesterday, however, was the Tony Martin- trained Psycho, who was cut to 6 to 1 joint favourite in some lists after news that Martin had booked Davy Russell to ride the horse.

However, it is Martin's other hope, Robin Du Bois, who continues to top the betting on his own at 6 to 1 with other firms. Robbie Colgan is set to take that ride.

Martin is a former Pierse winner with Xenephon in 2003.

But the most successful trainer in the history of the race in all its guises is Arthur Moore, who will be represented by his Cheltenham Grand Annual winner Tiger Cry.

Moore is a six-time winner, beginning with the Ann Ferris-ridden Irian 30 years ago.

Fredcoteri was a double winner (1983-84), was followed by Bonalma (1986), Roark (1988) and Graphic Equaliser in 1998.

Moore's nephew Philip Carberry will ride Tiger Cry, who hasn't been seen since running over hurdles at Down Royal in October.

"A stone bruise prevented him running before Christmas but he is fine now and is a likely runner," Moore said.

"It's hard to find races for him but this should be a good opportunity for him."

Tom Hogan will be doubly represented by last year's third, Silver Jaro, the intended mount of Noel Fehily, as well as Kirbybroguelantern, who will be ridden by John Cullen.

"I expect both to run well. Silver Jaro is a better horse physically this year, while I expect Kirby to improve from his last race," Hogan said.

Sunday's main support event is the €90,000 Leopardstown Chase in which the connections of Kilcrea Castle are hoping another topweight, Mister Top Notch, stays in.

Kilcrea Castle's trainer, Pat Doyle, said: "It's a hard race so we hope the topweight stays in so he gets in with 10.5. He won over two-and-a-half miles the last day so another furlong will be no bother. He won well the last day and is in good form."

Henry de Bromhead will leave it until as late as possible before deciding whether to run Oscar India in the big chase.

Oscar India disappointed on his last start in the Paddy Power Chase.

"I hope it was the ground," he said. "It was a pretty indifferent run, to be honest. He seems great, but we will wait until just before 10.0 in the morning. It might come too soon after the other race."

Finger Onthe Pulse is set to take his chance in the race having chased home Paul Nicholls' Noland on his latest outing. The eight-year-old holds an entry in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and it is something trainer Tom Taaffe is giving serious consideration to.

"It was a super day when he won the Jewson at Cheltenham last year and he has progressed well this season," Taaffe said.

PIERSE HURDLE BETTING:

Paddy Power:6 Robin Du Bois, 7 Psycho, 8 Imperial Hills and Alpine Eagle, 10 Fen Games, 12 Dancing Tornado, 14 Splurge, 16 Bar.

Cashmans:6 Robin Du Bois and Psycho, 8 Imperial Hills, Fen Game and Alpine Eagle, 14 Dancing Tornado, Vital Plot, On The Way Out and Turtle Time Lucky, 16 Bar.

Punchestown a late call despite forecast thaw

NO WEATHER problems are anticipated for Leopardstown on Sunday, but the Punchestown authorities are predicting a "close call" for tomorrow's scheduled fixture.

Parts of Leopardstown were frozen yesterday after a severe overnight frost, but manager Tom Burke said: "It's the first day we have been frozen and we just want to keep people informed.

"But we are being told it will get much milder from Friday on so we don't think there will be a problem."

However, there is less confidence about Punchestown escaping the effect of the cold snap. Racing would not have been possible at the Co Kildare track yesterday, and an inspection is likely to have to take place tomorrow morning.

"The frost on Friday night is forecast to be less severe and then they are predicting a substantial thaw on Saturday morning. I would say we are more hopeful than confident, and we will review it again in the morning. But it will be a close call," reported the Punchestown manager Richie Galway.

The Grade Three Punchestown Juvenile Hurdle is the feature event scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.