Bright New Dawn justified favouritism in the Grade 2 boylesports.com Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle at Thurles yesterday, but the race was marred by the fatal fall of Venture Capital.

Irish trainer Arthur Moore has reported Lyreen Wonder to be sore after the gelding came to grief at the 20th fence in Saturday’s Martell Grand National.

Martin Pipe and Tony McCoy warmed up for the Cheltenham Festival by landing the Sunderlands Imperial Cup Hurdle with Polar Red at Sandown.