Soft ground in Thurles Thurles remains soft after 9mm of rain since declarations. Sunny spells and scattered showers is the forecast for today. Gordon Elliott's Staffordshire Knot aims to continue his upward curve in the Grade 3 BoyleSports Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle at 3.23pm. Willie Mullins fires three darts at this contest including Largy Hill who was last seen winning a 3m maiden hurdle at Cork in January.