The Tullow Tank (Danny Mullins) on his way to winning the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle© Photo Healy Racing
The Tullow Tank followed in the hoof-prints of the likes of Hurricane Fly and Jezki by adding the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle to his victory earlier this month in the Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle.
Connections had some concerns beforehand whether the 9/4 chance would be as effective going left-handed but he dispelled such fears by coming home strongly in the straight.
Danny Mullins’ mount stayed on really well on the run-in to beat the front-running King Of The Picts by eight lengths, with 6/5 favourite Moyle Park a further two and three quarter lengths adrift in third.
The ‘jolly’ appeared to be travelling well early in the straight but found little under pressure.
Winning trainer Philip Fenton said, “That was very satisfactory. About two or three out things were not going that smooth but that changed up the straight. He put the race to bed like a really good horse.
“He’ll probably come back here for the Deloitte. He’s a huge improver compared to this time last year, and the summer off has really crowned him.
“He looked okay going left-handed there but it was hard to know with the wind being so strong. He’ll be entered in both the 2m and 2m4f races at Cheltenham, and it may depend on the ground which one he goes for.”
Paddy Power make The Tullow Tank 12/1 (from 16’s) for both the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Neptune at Cheltenham.
