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DERMOT WELD has Vital Plot primed and ready to strike in the first major prize of 2009 at Leopardstown on Sunday and bookmakers are taking no chances. Vital Plot is still only a novice, but he is already as low as 12 to 1 fourth-favourite for the Pierse Hurdle, which is worth €66,000 to the winner and which has an entry of 37 horses still in it, writes Brian O'Connor

Robin Du Bois is a 6 to 1 favourite, with the Willie Mullins-trained Imperial Hills next best in the betting at 8 to 1. But Weld has a history of upsetting the odds in this race.