Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle
Introduction 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 (4 wins):''' * Willie Mullins – ''Kim Fontaine (2004), Cooldine (2008), Tin Soldier (2017), Five O'Clock (2020) ''* Gordon Elliott - '' Blow By Blow (2018), Grand Paradis (2021), The Goffer (2022), Sa Fureur (2023) ''
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
See also *Horse racing in Ireland* List of Irish National Hunt races
References *Racing Post:**, , , , , , , , , **, , , , , , , , ,