Supreme Novices Update: Future Champions Novice Hurdle - The Tullow Tank

A number of the divisions expected to light up the Cheltenham festival this season have an oddly open look to them. The Supreme, Arkle, Champion Hurdle, RSA, Ryanair and a potentially Sprinter Sacre-less Champion Chase all appear to lack the standout performers. I suspect without Champagne Fever's shuddering error the Arkle could be removed from that list as he should eventually separate himself from the rest but for the time being it still a sphere that is difficult to assess. There is one standout in the staying novice hurdle ranks. It is not Captain Cutter despite a compelling victory in the Challow that looks hard to crab. Prior to Saturday's display doubts hung over the Westerner gelding’s jumping as it lacked any fluency, at Newbury it improved beyond recognition and connections of arguably the season's most exciting novice hurdler, Faugheen, will hope for something similar in future. Such jumping frailties are not a pressing concern at this stage given the astonishing way he tanks through his races, even over 3 miles on heavy ground when forced to make all, as he did at Limerick. When a horse is constantly being reined in often jumping suffers, My Tent Or Yours was a good example in the Christmas Hurdle, hence with a stronger pace to run at, and preferably a lead, improvement can be expected. The pertinent question, which can't yet be answered, is where will Faugheen go in March? Given his starts so far over two-miles-and-six furlongs, two-miles-and-four furlongs and three miles it seems the Supreme is out of the equation. Even if he did drop down to the minimum trip I would still expect him to be a major force, able to compete with the likes of Friday's Future Champions Novice Hurdle winner who more than built on his Royal Bond success.

A tank by name and nature, The Tullow Tank, following in the footsteps of Dunguib is another top notch novice for his trainer, Philip Fenton to contend with. After an underwhelming start to his career over hurdles The Tullow Tank was switched into a bumper which he won easily. With a summer under his belt he returned to obstacles a different animal, rattling off a hat-trick of high class wins including two Grade 1s, culminating in a career best at Leopardstown on Friday. There was a doubt over his suitability to left-handed tracks and even after his win by eight lengths at Leopardstown Philip Fenton still wasn’t entirely convinced however this concern is largely unwarranted based on his form this season.

Having stayed on strongly to land the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse on The Tullow Tank’s preceding start, Danny Mullins made sure his mount was within striking distance throughout, taking up second position from the outset. He settled serenely behind the leader, King Of The Picts, who immediately grabbed a healthy lead, and his laid back style allowed him to conserve energy in the testing conditions unlike his two, Willie Mullins trained, main rivals. It was not long before Moyle Park pulled his way ahead of The Tullow Tank, though his desire to run faster was dwarfed by his hood wearing stablemate Arctic Fire. Arctic Fire took a fierce hold for much of the contest and his rider could gave in on the run to the fourth last as he rapidly pulled his way into a share of the lead. With Paul Carberry, on King Of The Picts, unwilling to follow the pace of the race inevitably quickened as that pair fought for unnecessary supremacy.

The Tullow Tank then needed minor encouragement to maintain his position. Between the third and second last flights of hurdles he came off the bridle and the situation appeared grave as he was hard driven for a few strides after the penultimate flight, but he responded well to maintain a stalking role just in behind the eventual runner-up and third. As they straightened up off the final bend Danny Mullins pulled him out from behind Moyle Park, a move reminiscent to that made when defeating Turnandgo at Naas, to gain a clear sight of the final hurdle and victory. His Ruby Walsh ridden rival, Moyle Park, was still going best, Arctic Fire’s antics had caught up with him, but as he found next to nothing for pressure The Tullow Tank kept picking up, his stamina reserves proving invaluable. He was in front at the last and a typically accurate jump effectively sealed the race before he stretched clear in relentless fashion. The previously unconsidered King Of The Picts held on to second place for Pat Shanahan, largely thanks to the lead he pinched at the start, and this along with the tame yet easily excusable efforts from the Mullins protagonists casts a shadow over the form. It was only the front two who truly showed what they were capable of and thanks to the unintentional early injection of pace from Arctic Fire the race turned into a relatively gruelling test.

To some extent this played into the hands of The Tullow Tank. This imposing five-year-old does not strike one as natural two miler, needing stoking up earlier than ideal in all of his starts this season, each time shaping as if the further he goes the more impressive he will be. A step up in trip is only a matter of time, this son of Oscar would surely relish a stiffer test and indications that connections are leaning towards a trip to the Neptune Novices Hurdle are understandable. That is not to say his Supreme claims are outlandish, far from it. He is already twice a Grade 1 winner over two miles and while the form of Friday’s race may prove suspect, his Royal Bond win was about to receive a handsome boost from Renneti who, when set for an authoritative success at Limerick just forty five minutes earlier, fell at the second last. Crucially the Supreme is a contest for horses that see out two miles thoroughly, as Philip Fenton’s charge certainly does. A slight lack of tactical speed may lead to assumptions relating to The Tullow Tank’s ability to keep up with the best two mile novices when the pace quickens in a Supreme but this season’s crop appear to be a sub-standard bunch and such concerns may not apply. There is still plenty of time for things to develop and therefore improve my overall perception; the Tolworth Hurdle on Saturday should be informative for example, as should The Tullow Tank’s next assignment in the Deloitte, won last year by Champagne Fever. Ideally this will provide him with even tougher questions to answer, though I doubt Philip Fenton fears anything as yet unfaced from his side of the Irish Sea, and who could blame him.

Of course, it is worth touching further on Friday’s somewhat disappointing favourite, Moyle Park. His hard-pulling nature finally cost him as in the soft ground he floundered once produced for his effort. For the majority of Friday’s race he shaped like the best horse, his jumping, while still erratic, had progressed from his hurdling debut and he cruised into the home straight looking all over the winner. Sadly, once off the bridle he barely picked up, failing even to pass King Of The Picts who for the entire race looked a sitting duck for anyone capable. On a sounder surface more can be expected from the Flemensfirth gelding, he should last longer when underfoot conditions are less taxing but he will no longer be able to compete at the level his talent indicates he deserves to unless he learns to settle. Again, with experience he ought to mature and getting him to relax will be a priority for his trainer. If the efforts made are successful and he faces quicker ground later on in the season he may fulfil his potential, maybe even at Cheltenham. Though, he has not yet done enough over hurdles to suggest he can be a player in March and following his Leopardstown display the 25/1 available for Moyle Park is currently an accurate reflection of his chance in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.