RACING: TJ Nagle is hopeful The Bishop Looney can pick up some prize-money in the Grade Two Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle at Thurles tomorrow. The five-year-old was unbeaten on his first two starts over hurdles before finishing fifth in a race won by the hugely impressive Mikael D'Haguenet at Naas last time.
Nagle admits he has plenty on his plate again on Thursday but is hoping for a strong pace to see his charge in his best light.
“We gave him a little break after Naas but he has been working well recently so we are hoping for the best,” said the Co Cork handler.
“We hoped he might be placed the last day but they went no gallop whatsoever and they crawled for a mile and a half. Tom Doyle said he’s quite a babyish horse to ride and he jumps big.
“It’s another hot race but hopefully he will run a good race if he gets a good strong pace. We are just trying to educate him and he could go to Fairyhouse after this for the novice handicap final.”
The Willie Mullins-trained Quiscover Fontaine is searching for his fourth consecutive victory and is one of nine rivals to The Bishop Looney.
Donnas Palm chased home Mikael D’Haguenet last time and is another interesting contender, along with Caim Hill and Jessica Harrington’s mare Afasheen.