LIMERICK trainer Charles Byrnes is planning to send a three-pronged raiding party to Cheltenham on Saturday headed by his high-class hurdler Pittoni, writes Brian O’Connor.
The Byrnes star ran third to Thousand Stars in the Grade One Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown 17 days ago and has been installed 10 to 1 in some lists for this weekend’s Stan James International Hurdle.
Ten horses remain in the race formerly known as the Bula and bookmakers have plumped for Grandouet as their ante-post favourite.
The Fighting Fifth winner Overturn is also a possible starter along with Brampour.
“It looks a hot race but he’s been in good form since Punchestown and we will probably take our chance. Nothing has been confirmed jockey-wise,” Byrnes said of Pittoni yesterday.
He also intends running Sea Of Thunder in a Grade Two three-mile novice hurdle and Fists Of Fury in a novice chase.
Sea Of Thunder finished runner-up to Hazy Tom at Wetherby last month on his last trip across the Irish Sea.
Other Irish interest at Prestbury Park this Saturday may come in the Spinal Research Gold Cup in which the trio of Finger Onthe Pulse, Quel Esprit and Roberto Goldback have been left in.
