Pittoni leads Byrnes's raiding trio

TODAY'S RACING:PITTONI WILL have the services of Tony McCoy when he lines up for Limerick trainer Charles Byrnes in today's Grade Two Stan James International Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The former Grade One winner leads a three-pronged Byrnes attack at the lucrative fixture this afternoon, which also features the Irish pair Roberto Goldback and Finger Onthe Pulse in the Spinal Research Gold Cup.

Pittoni takes on some of the better British-based hurdlers, including Nicky Henderson’s Grandouet, the Fighting Fifth winner Overturn and Menorah, who returns from novice chasing.

Today’s Irish action is at Navan – pending a 7.30am inspection due to the threat of frost – and champion trainer Willie Mullins could earn plenty of family brownie points.

He provides his son Patrick with a good looking ride on Local Celebrity in one of the maiden hurdles, while Mullins’s nephews, Danny and Emmett, could also strike with Strain Of Fame and Skorcher.

The opening maiden hurdle sees some promising types including the Mullins-trained Tennis Cap.

Most interesting of all however could be the wide-margin Down Royal winner Monksland, who could hardly have won his bumper more impressively.

Mart Lane hasn’t been seen since winning his first hurdle start at Perth in September. “Shark” Hanlon has always had a high opinion of this Leopardstown bumper winner and he can emerge best in a hot-looking novice hurdle.