At least one instruction of a sequence of program instructions has a plurality of alternative outcomes including at least a first outcome that is independent of at least one operand and a second outcome that is dependent on the at least one operand. The at least one operand is a value generated by a preceding instruction in the sequence. The at least one instruction is issued for execution independently of when the at least one operand is generated by the preceding instruction. Recovery circuitry is provided to perform a recovery operation in the event that the second outcome is to be executed for the at least one instruction and the at least one operand has not been generated by the preceding instruction when the at least one instruction is to be executed by said instruction execution circuitry.