HIDDEN CYCLONE continued his rise up the ranks with a gusty display to land the Grade 2 Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle at Thurles yesterday.

Mark Pitman was delighted with the effort of Smarty at Ascot as his preparations for the Martell Grand National gather pace.

Despite the name, there was nothing fishy about the result of Sandown’s big race as Billingsgate continued his fantastic return from the injury list when taking the €65,800 Agfa Diamond Handicap Chase.