Weight will not deter Kazal

Thurles preview The lure of Cheltenham has failed to keep Kazal away from today's Grade Two feature at Thurles, where Eoin Griffin's hardy stayer can continue an already prolific season.

A fourth to Aran Concerto at Navan in December has been the only interruption to Kazal's winning streak, which continued with a typically doughty performance at Naas recently.

Callherwhatulike was the closest horse to Kazal at the line, but, like many others this term, she found out that getting close to him is very different to getting past the six-year-old.

On ground testing enough to see the two chases abandoned yesterday morning, Kazal will be in his element in the €75,000 Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle, but he does have to concede at least 5lb to his 12 opponents.

The best of them look to be the 132-rated Druids Castle, and possibly Wickford, but Kazal looks one of those progressive horses that has to be followed until beaten.

Ruby Walsh is on the course winner Nay in the big race, but his best chance looks to be in the first division of the maiden hurdle where another Cheltenham defector, Glencove Marina, should be hard to beat.

Walsh is on Irish Invader in the two-and-a-half mile maiden, but this disappointing sort could again be destined for a minor place behind Tailor's Hall who made the hot favourite Good Company pull out all the stops at Downpatrick last week.