JUST SIX runners line up for today’s novice hurdle at Thurles, but Bishopsfurze can prove himself the Willie Mullins number one with an incident free round.

The six-year-old was well fancied to follow up an impressive Cork victory last month when he lined up at Naas 11 days ago, and everything looked to be going to plan until Bishopsfurze was hampered at the fourth last flight.

His stable companion Gagewell Flyer took advantage to win for the champion trainer anyway, but today’s assignment looks a perfect opportunity for Bishopsfurze to resume normal service.

He is joined by another stable companion in Up The Beat, while Noel Meade runs his Down Royal winner Another Palm.

Start Me Up was just edged out in a decent contest at Limerick over Christmas and also takes his chance. However, Bishopsfurze could be in a different league to these.

For Bill is back over fences in the mares Beginners Chase after a brief return to hurdles at Leopardstown behind Our Girl Salley during Christmas.

That didn’t work out, and her Clonmel effort before that yielded just a third behind Blazing Tempo.

But For Bill is a prolific winner, with three over hurdles, three in bumpers and a pair of point-to- points, and should resume winning ways now.

Another smart jumping mare is Back Of The Pack, who looks an interesting contender in the two- and-three-quarter-mile handicap hurdle now that she switches from fences to the smaller obstacles.

Back Of The Pack won three over fences earlier in the season and is also a triple hurdles victor, including when winning off a 1lb higher mark than she carries now.

Big Secret is back over fences for the opening Beginners Chase after breaking his duck over flights at Limerick and can score for Charles Byrnes.

Shannon Spirit, always rated a smart prospect by Tom Hogan, can start proving the point over jumps in the two-mile maiden hurdle.