The Tullow Tank is set to be prepared for the Cheltenham Festival following a much-improved effort at Leopardstown.

A dual Grade One-winning hurdler last season for Philip Fenton, the seven-year-old sidestepped Cheltenham due to the controversy surrounding his now-suspended trainer, but has been given the green light to cross the water this year by current handler Sandra Hughes.

After getting his chasing career off to a flyer at Fairyhouse in November, he disappointed in both the Drinmore and Topaz Novice Chases, but fared better to finish fourth in the Flogas Novice Chase behind Apache Stronghold

A potential rematch with the winner is on the cards in Cheltenham's JLT Novices' Chase on day three of the Festival.

Hughes said: "We were really pleased with him as he jumped exceptionally well, which is what we wanted to see.

"I don't think we'll get another run into him now, so the plan is to go straight to Cheltenham for the JLT."