Hidden Cyclone battles to victory

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.

Andrew McNamara had Hidden Cyclone on the heels of the leaders for most of the journey and then sent him into the lead approaching the third last.

Pineau De Re was a threat all the way up the straight, but the imposing winner kept pulling it out and was nicely on top at the line to win by two and a half lengths.