Owner Barry Connell believes The Tullow Tank deserves a crack at the Cheltenham Festival following his run in Sunday's Flogas Novice Chase.

The Sandra Hughes-trained seven-year-old still held every chance turning into the straight before fading slightly to be beaten just over eight lengths into fourth.

That was much better than his previous two performances in the Drinmore and Topaz Novice Chases and it gives Connell hope his dual Grade One-winning hurdler is moving forward again.

"I was delighted with The Tullow Tank," said Connell.

"He jumped brilliantly, as he did first time out over fences. We thought we'd sorted out his issues that had been bothering him and it seems we have.

"I'm sure he'll come on from that as in his last two runs, he might have been in a bit of pain.

"He's back to himself but he probably blew up at the last because it was his first proper run in a while.

"We can take a lot of positives from that going forward.

"I don't see why he won't handle nicer ground and while we'll keep our options open, I don't see why he shouldn't head to Cheltenham. It would probably be the JLT rather than the RSA as he's got loads of speed."