Scaled-back Tyner operation chasing big pot with hat-trick-seeking Big Debates

Robert Tyner is operating with a significantly reduced string these days but he is hopeful Big Debates can complete a hat-trick in the Grade A Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase (2.12) at Fairyhouse on Saturday.

The ten-year-old scored by a head at Cork in November before following up with a six-length success at Fairyhouse just before Christmas. He struggled over longer trips last season and has won his last three starts at or around two miles.

Pat Fahy's Dunvegan, successful in Saturday’s €80,000 race 12 months ago, is entered once more, but Tyner is confident that Big Debates, who is available at 5-1, can produce another big run.

"It was great to win the two races that we did with him before Christmas," said the trainer,. “He came out of the last race at Fairyhouse with a bit of a cut but he’s been fine since. It's a race of great prestige and a valuable pot, too."

Big Debates will face some tough competition, with the Liz Doyle-trained Cayd Boy heading the early betting, while on Dunvegan's latest outing he finished fifth in the Tingle Creek.

Tyner has had 133 winners in Ireland over the past ten seasons, but significantly scaled back his operation after 33 years in May, citing burnout and rising costs. The Kinsale, County Cork-based trainer once had as many as 90 horses, but says he is happier after downsizing.

“It’s fine for now,” said Tyner. “We’re enjoying it a lot more. It’s much more manageable. We’ve only got a dozen or so horses and we’ve been able to give them all more time. It's harder for smaller trainers now but we are happy with how things are.”

Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap (2.12 Fairyhouse, Saturday)

Paddy Power:3 Cayd Boy, 4 Mt Leinster, 5 Big Debates, 6 Epson Du Houx, Fan De Blues, 7 Dunvegan, 8 Andy Dufresne, 10 Castlegrace Paddy, Now Where Or When, 12 bar

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