The Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle is a Grade 3 National Hunt hurdle horse race in Ireland. It is run at Thurles Racecourse in February or March, over a distance of 2 miles and 4 furlongs (4,023 metres) and during the race there are twelve hurdles to be jumped.
The race was first run in 2004. It was previously contested at Grade 2 level before being downgraded to Grade 3 in 2017.
Records Most successful jockey (4 wins): Ruby Walsh – Kim Fontaine (2004), Cooldine (2008), Acapella Bourgeois (2016), Tin Soldier (2017)
Most successful trainer (6 wins): Willie Mullins – Kim Fontaine (2004), Cooldine (2008), Tin Soldier (2017), Five O'Clock (2020), Largy Hill (2024), Bon Viveur (2026)
Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer 2004 Kim Fontaine 6 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2005 Teeming Rain 6 David Casey Charlie Swan 2006 Mounthenry 6 Andrew McNamara Charles Byrnes 2007 Kazal 6 Barry Geraghty Eoin Griffin 2008 Cooldine 6 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2009 Clan Tara 7 Davy Russell Paul Nolan 2010 Western Leader 6 Conor O'Farrell John Joseph Hanlon 2011 Hidden Cyclone 6 Andrew McNamara John Joseph Hanlon 2012 Lyreen Legend 5 Bryan Cooper Dessie Hughes 2013 Bright New Dawn 6 Davy Russell Dessie Hughes 2014 Giantofaman 6 Paul Carberry Dessie Hughes 2015 Sub Lieutenant 6 Barry Geraghty Sandra Hughes 2016 Acapella Bourgeois 6 Ruby Walsh Sandra Hughes 2017 Tin Soldier 6 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2018 Blow By Blow 7 Rachael Blackmore Gordon Elliott 2019 Go Another One 7 Robbie Power John C McConnell 2020 Five O'Clock 5 Danny Mullins Willie Mullins 2021 Grand Paradis 5 Jack Kennedy Gordon Elliott 2022 The Goffer 5 Jordan Gainford Gordon Elliott 2023 Sa Fureur 6 Jordan Gainford Gordon Elliott 2024 Largy Hill 7 Paul Townend Willie Mullins 2025 Jacob's Ladder 6 Sam Ewing Gordon Elliott 2026 Bon Viveur 6 Paul Townend Willie Mullins
See also Horse racing in Ireland List of Irish National Hunt races
Notes
References
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