Gordon Elliott makes Group 3 Hurdle favourite

Thurles, Thursday 23 February: Seven steeplechase races are on the programme at Thurles today. The Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle (4th race/16.40pm/30,000 Euro/4023m) marks the highlight.

Trainer Gordon Elliott won the Group 3 hurdle race in the last two years and another success could be added by Sa Fureur (Jordan Gainford), who currently made a splash with two wins at Punchestown. He will have to be wary of Ifiwerearichman (Sean O`Keeffe), who could continue his upward trend with a second-place finish at Navan. Rexem (Simon Torrens) has not attracted much attention this season, but has shown some good signs in the summer. Still Ciel (Rachael Blackmore) won a Maiden race here, but she finished in the beaten field on her most recent start just over a fortnight ago. Whiskey Lullaby (Darragh O`Keeffe) enters under new management and remains to be considered as well as Buddy One (Jack Gilligan), Henning (Daniel King) and Knockanard Lad (Jack Doyle), who stood out with good performances.