"Tornado Watch times it right!" was the call from racecourse commentator Jerry Hannon as the 7/4 favourite got up close home to land the two mile handicap hurdle in Kilbeggan.

The nine-year-old gelding was niggled along by David Mullins in fourth on the long run to the final flight as Schmidt led from Billy's Angel and Double Speak

Double Speak belied his odds of 40/1 to jump the last at the head of affairs with Schmidt second and Tornado Watch third.

Double Speak jumped it well and had a short run-in to negotiate, however, Tornado Watch landed full of running and found plenty for pressure to collar the leader and win by half a length.

Schmidt finished third, three lengths further back.

Trainer Emmet Mullins said: "He didn't seem to travel great for most of the race but luckily when he got a bit of daylight after the last he stayed on and got there.

“It's great for a horse with plenty of miles on the clock to win back-to-back races.”

Tornado Watch won his last outing in a handicap hurdle at Tramore last month by four and a half lengths for which he received a hike of 10lbs.

This was a first win of the new National Hunt season for Mullins.

In-form jockey David Mullins has now won four of his last eight rides.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson