Hidden Cyclone and Patrick Mullins© Photo Healy Racing
Hidden Cyclone s name will to be on many lips come Galway Festival-time as the 'nearly' chaser routed his rivals in the Leopardstown Club Membership (Q.R.) Maiden at Leopardstown today, setting himself up nicely for the National Hunt handicapper's Galway Hurdle assessment next week.
Ridden today by Patrick Mullins, Hidden Cyclone travelled strongly throughout and in the end quickened well in the straight for an easy four and three parts of a length win over Skilled
The Shark Hanlon trained ten year old gelding has yet to win a Grade 1 race and while placed six times (runner-up four times) at the top level, has this year been rerouted for a first tilt at the Galway Hurdle and a first hurdles start since March 2011.
That decision is likely to set the jumps handicapper and bookmakers alike a real puzzle, given he is currently rated 157 over fences but was last rated 141 when last seen over hurdles in 2011.
Afterwards an excited Hanlon revealed "he was good. He loved it and I was delighted with him.
"He'll go straight for the Galway Hurdle now. It's been the plan for three years but two years ago he got hurt and last year he tore the leg off himself at Punchestown.
"Hopefully he's alright in the morning - I walked the track before as I was afraid of my life and if there had been firm in it he wouldn't have run.
"That'll leave him spot on for Galway. Please God he'll get there safe and sound.
"Patrick (Mullins) said after they turned out of the back, it was all over as he was travelling so easily."
By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson
