Hotel-bound Muir turns to McCoy for inspiration as he seeks big Pyledriver run

Sunday: 6.00am Sha Tin
Longines Hong Kong Vase (Group 1) | 1m4f | 3yo+ | Sky

William Muir has turned to a familiar face as he attempts to deal with strict Covid-19 restrictions in Hong Kong, where Pyledriver is likely to be the focus of British attention on Sunday's international card.

"I think I'm coping well with it," Muir said from his hotel room on Friday.

"I'm reading Tony McCoy's book and knew he was fantastic from the outside, but when you read his book and what he's been through you realise, what a man, and he knows a thing or two about winners, so hopefully it rubs off!"

Muir, who trains Pyledriver with Chris Grassick, had to endure a "long, tedious" day at the airport when he arrived in Hong Kong this week, but stressed the hassle will be worth it if his stable star can strike in a race where European raiders have excelled.

"My focus is on Pyledriver and trying to do things right by him and the horse has always got to be our main focus," he said.

William Muir with Hong Kong Vase contender PyledriverCredit: Edward Whitaker

"Even when it was mentioned we might have to come over and quarantine for three weeks, that was on the cards until the Hong Kong Jockey Club got us dispensation as elite athletes."

Sha Tin Sunday cards

A son of Harbour Watch, Pyledriver won this year's Coronation Cup – Muir's first top-level triumph – but then suffered a groin injury that kept him on the sidelines until a smooth warm-up for this mission at Lingfield four weeks ago.

He faces the Aidan O'Brien-trained Mogul and Japan's Glory Vase, the last two Vase winners, but is the highest-rated in the line-up and Muir is thrilled with his condition.

"He's taken everything great and everything he's done on the track here has been pleasing," said Muir.

"The quick ground doesn't worry us. He went round the grass on Thursday and it was perfect. He's never travelled this far before and seems to have taken it all in his stride, but until you run you never know.

"However, when he left England he looked a million dollars and, on his last bit of work at home, I could have run him anywhere and would have been confident."

Ebaiyra: a final big-race runner for Alain de Royer-DupreCredit: Hong Kong Jockey Club

That belief was fuelled further by Pyledriver's victory over 1m2f at Lingfield and Muir added: "It was a great performance. He wasn't 100 per cent straight and it will have put him spot on.

"The turn of foot he showed at Lingfield was excellent, but he's class and that's what got him into third place in the St Leger last year, not his stamina. It was a great performance at Lingfield, giving 7lb to Harrovian, who is rated 108, and winning fairly easily. He'll definitely improve from that run and is a fresh horse."

Muir's son-in-law Martin Dwyer, who won the Vase on Phoenix Reach in 2004, rides Pyledriver.

The eight-runner field also includes Ebaiyra, whose trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre brings an end to his outstanding 49-year career at the end of the month.

Hong Kong Vase
Coral: 11-8 Glory Vase, 15-8 Pyledriver, 13-2 Mogul, 15-2 Ebaiyra, 10 Stay Foolish, 25 Columbus County, 28 Reliable Team, 40 Butterfield

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