Rebel takes Tipperary test

Rebel Fitz’s Champion Hurdle credentials could be given a serious examination at Tipperary this weekend after proven top-notcher Thousand Stars featured among his potential rivals.

A determined victory in the Galway Hurdle features among four consecutive victories for the Mick Winters-trained seven-year-old and he barely came off the bridle on his latest appearance at Cork.

The dream for connections is that he can prove good enough for a crack at the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham next March and they are likely to learn plenty in Sunday’s Friends Of Tipperary Hurdle if Thousand Stars does line up.