Tullyhill has his rivals beaten as he tackles the last© Photo Healy Racing
Tullyhill was slashed from 16/1 to 5/1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle by Paddy Power after an impressive victory in the Listed novice hurdle at Punchestown.
The 6/5 favourite, who was strong in the market, made all for Paul Townend and had his rivals in trouble on the long run to the last flight.
He opened up and drew clear before the last and ran on well to score by a very healthy nine lengths. No Flies On Him (4/1) could make no impression on the winner, but did get up for second by a head from Jigoro (6/1).
Willie Mullins said: “He has a fair engine and we just needed to give him confidence jumping. David Casey (assistant trainer) was deputised with that job and has done a right job.
“He’s entitled to go anywhere after a performance like that.
“I thought he’d be an out-and-out stayer but he has plenty of speed, a great cruising speed, and now his jumping is starting to match his cruising speed.
“He’s in the Supreme and I’ll have a word with connections and see what they would like to do.”
Tullyhill was runner-up in a Grade 1 bumper at the Punchestown Festival last April and won his maiden hurdle by seven lengths in Naas last month.
He brought up a double for Mullins and Townend after Mister Policeman s victory in the opener.
The Paddy Power ante-post price on Tullyhill is non runner money back.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
