Ahead of an important couple of days in Down Royal, when some of the stable’s leading lights will make their first starts of the season, trainer Gordon Elliott completed a near 6-1 double on a cold Thursday afternoon in Thurles.

The winter season got underway in near summery conditions, on fast ground, at Thurles yesterday afternoon and, for the third consecutive year, sprightly veteran He’llberemembered landed the featured Premier County Hurdle for trainer Paul Fahey.

Mouse Morris’ Allied Victory made a spectacular start over fences when landing the www.thurlesraces.ie Beginners Chase at Thurles yesterday.

PUNTERS wasted no time getting it right at Thurles yesterday when heavily-backed Shop Dj strolled away with the opening Holycross Mares’ Chase, one of three winners for Davy Russell.

DAVY RUSSELL certainly looks the pilot to have on one’s side at the first meeting of the National Hunt campaign to be held at Thurles this afternoon.