Terminal gets the better of Tofino Bay© Photo Healy Racing
Terminal proved strongest at the finish after a tactical affair in the Irish Form Book Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan.
Tofino Bay was sent off 4/6 favourite in the Grade 2 event over three miles and cut out the running.
He was closely followed by He's A Delight and interestingly he charted a wide course along with Terminal while the other Gigginstown horse Tillahow stuck to the inner with Tofino Bay.
It was Terminal who came through to challenge Tofino Bay at the second last and Ruby Walsh sent his mount on before the final fence.
The 15/8 second choice in the market kept on well in the closing stages to post a convincing five-and-a-half length success over the hotpot.
The winner was supplementing his success at Cork last month and is now two from three over fences having been runner-up on his chasing debut at Fairyhouse.
“It took him time to get into his jumping and I think he might have been effected by the shadow down the back straight,” said Mullins afterwards.
“He's entered in all the races at Cheltenham. I'll talk to the owners and see what we'll do. I think he may have had too hard a race there and he'd prefer better ground.
“Maybe that will kill his Galway Plate weight but we can also look forward to Punchestown with him.”
It was a second winner on the card for trainer Mullins after the earlier victory of On His Own
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
