Thurles then Cheltenham for It Came To Pass

Eugene O'Sullivan has Thurles in mind for It Came To Pass, before he attempts to retain his crown in the Foxhunter at Cheltenham next month.

The Brian Boru gelding was a surprise 66/1 winner at the Festival last year and he finished a respectable fourth on his return to action at Fairyhouse in November.

O'Sullivan now has the Thurles Racecourse Hunters Chase on February 25th planned, before heading to the Cotswolds with his stable star.

"If the ground at Thurles is anyway reasonable we'll go there - as long as it isn't bottomless," O'Sullivan reported.

"He's in savage order and is better than he was last year.

"I just don't want to bottom him and that was the only reason I didn't run him at Naas.

"We will go to Thurles if the ground is any way fair and if not we'll go straight to Cheltenham."