Blackthorn Prince looks poised to strike at Listowel for Bolger

Like many of EndaBolger's horses, Blackthorn Prince is likely to find his long-term vocation as a cross-country performer.

Indeed he has already sampled the Punchestown track, where his trainer has traditionally dominated, running as a stable-outsider twice last winter after joining Bolger following a spell with Jonjo O'Neill during which he picked up a modest hurdles rating.

After a point-to-point win in February and a hunter chase venture at Gowarn Park, Bolger sent the Black Sam Bellamy gelding on a break before bringing him back to make his handicap hurdle debut at Killarney in July.