THURLES may be right at the bottom of the Racing Post’s list of what a racecourse should be, understandably, but is top of the hit-parade as far as racegoers are concerned.

Hedgehunter, winner of the 2005 Grand National, is set to make his seasonal reappearance in the Rock Of Cashel Hurdle at Thurles tomorrow.

WILLIE MULLINS could give Hedgehunter a first start of the season in Thursday’s Thurles Chase, but will not make a final decision about his participation until declaration day.

Willie Mullins could give Hedgehunter a first start of the season in Thursday's Thurles Chase, but will not make a final decision about his participation until declaration day.

IN-FORM Andrew McNamara has been booked to partner the John Murphy trained Newmill in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on March 15.

Accordion Etoile could put his Irish Independent Arkle Trophy credentials on the line in the Byrne Group Plc Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown on Sunday.

JOHN MURPHY enjoyed the biggest success of his seven-year training career when Newmill won the Grade Two MacLochlainn Road Markings Ltd Kinloch Brae 'Chase at Thurles yesterday.

Newmill put up a pleasing display to take the Grade Two MacLochlainn Road Markings Ltd Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles.

HARDY EUSTACE is set to enjoy a good blow-out on his seasonal reappearance in the Happy New Year Hurdle at Punchestown this afternoon.

MICHAEL DARCY took the riding honours on a day of shocks at Thurles yesterday, recording a double on Baily Breeze and Just.

IN a short few weeks Mossy Green will celebrate his 12th birthday, but showed at Thurles yesterday there is still plenty life left in Willie Mullins’ charge.

THURLES, which has made a massive contribution to National Hunt racing over many years, again comes up with the goods this afternoon, housing eight races.

Moscow Flyer will bid to continue his winning streak in the Kerrygold Champion Chase on the first day of the Punchestown Festival tomorrow.

NUMBERSIXVALVERDE is the choice to land a wide open 27-runner Powers' Gold Label Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse this afternoon.

TEEMING RAIN swooped late and fast to beat the gallant Sweet Kiln a short head in yesterday’s Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle at Thurles.

Bad knocks? David Casey knows all about the routine.

THE Clonmel Oil Chase at Clonmel this afternoon may be short Beef Or Salmon, but has still attracted a strong field, headed by English challenger, Impek.

TIMMY MURPHY earned all the plaudits when giving Hi Cloy an ice-cool ride to take the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse yesterday.

Willie Mullins' Rule Supreme struck for the Irish on St Patrick's Day by springing a 25-1 surprise in an eventful Royal & SunAlliance Chase.

JIM CULLOTY will team up with Total Enjoyment, a first ever runner at the Festival for Tralee trainer Tom Cooper in the Cheltenham Bumper next week.

RUBY WALSH yesterday expressed confidence that Azertyuiop will give Moscow Flyer a real battle in the Champion ’Chase at Cheltenham next week.

Willie Mullins remains hopeful that stable star Florida Pearl can win his third race at the Cheltenham Festival next month as the veteran lines up at the meeting for the seventh time.

WILLIE MULLINS yesterday confirmed that Florida Pearl has emerged fit and well from his historic victory at Leopardstown on Sunday and will now bid to win the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup at the fourth attempt.

Willie Mullins today confirmed that Florida Pearl has emerged fit and well from his historic victory at Leopardstown yesterday and will now bid to win the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup at the fourth attempt.

JOHN MAGNIER and J P McManus found themselves on the opposite side of the fence at Clonmel yesterday.

TOM TAAFFE’S Kicking King consolidated his position near the head of Cheltenham’s Arkle Trophy market with a satisfactory display to land the Irish equivalent, the Arkle Cup at Leopardstown yesterday.

SOLERINA is far from a certain runner in Sunday’s AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

DESSIE HUGHES, fresh from an excellent Christmas, can enjoy a top-up with the frustrating Celestial Light in the Graun Hill Mares Maiden Hurdle at Tramore this afternoon.

THE message is simple, give them what they want and they will arrive in droves.

MICHAEL HALFORD’S Golden Cross can give his Cheltenham Triumph Hurdle hopes a major boost by landing the Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse this afternoon.