Tango Banbou kept up the gallop at Gowran under Emmet Mullins© Photo Healy Racing
A dual winner in France, Tango Banbou showed nothing since arriving in Ireland with a couple of efforts over fences. However at a price of 50/1, Willie Mullins' charge left that form well in the past, reverting to hurdles under Emmet Mullins in the Ballyhale Novice Hurdle at Gowran.
Tango Banbou, a five-year-old son of Until Sundown, made all, he was clear for much of the two miles and his good jumping enabled him to fend off all possible threats. Touch Back did best of the rest but he was still five and a half lengths down at the line. Maggie Neary went from travelling strongly to nothing from two out (made a mistake there) and she crossed the line in third place, six lengths behind. Savello and Absolutlyfantastic both performed well-below expectations, pulling up.
Tango Banbou's starting price prompted Mullins (doubling up after Loch Ard s win in the 1st) to remark: "That must be a record," before he went on to commented: "Emmet gave him a great ride. He used his head at the start when there wasn't much pace on.
"He knew he'd jump well. He was disappointing on his first two starts over fences but adapted to Irish hurdles well there."
Savello was reported to have run free and jumped poorly but he was post race normal.
Absolutlyfantastic was reported to have hung slightly right in running. (DM & EM)
