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Dual Grade One-winning hurdler The Tullow Tank makes his eagerly-anticipated debut over fences at Fairyhouse on Tuesday.
The six-year-old claimed the Royal Bond at this venue and the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown last season before suffering his first defeat of the campaign at the hands of Vautour in the Deloitte.
While Vautour went on to clinch glory at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals, The Tullow Tank was given the rest of the season off due to the court case hanging over trainer Philip Fenton, who was recently convicted for possession of illegal animal remedies.
The Tullow Tank has his first start for trainer Dessie Hughes and will be ridden by owner Barry Connell's new retained jockey Adrian Heskin for the first time in the Fairyhouse Membership 2015 On Sale Now Beginners Chase.
Connell said: "He's been ready to run for a couple of weeks. We've just been waiting for a bit of ease in the ground.
"They're calling it good to yielding at Fairyhouse, so if we're happy with it, the intention is to let him run and hopefully he'll take a bit of beating.
"Everyone has been happy with him at home and the plan is, if all goes well, he'll go back to Fairyhouse in three weeks for the Drinmore.
"He's had a clear run, we've had no hiccups with him and he's a proper Grade One horse.
"There is no reason why he shouldn't go and jump a fence, Adrian has schooled him a couple of times and everything has gone well. Adrian has ridden a couple of nice winners for us already, so hopefully things continue that way."
The Tullow Tank is the star turn in a seven-runner field, but faces a couple of interesting opponents.
The Gordon Elliott-trained Mala Beach has held his own in good company over hurdles for the last couple of seasons and was last seen winning the Grade Two Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park in January.
He is also making his debut over the larger obstacles and is joined in the field by stable companion Riverside City.
Eoin Griffin's Azorian shaped well as a novice hurdler last season, filling the runner-up spot behind Briar Hill in the Grade One Navan Novice Hurdle. Rebel Cry, Whitesfort Boy and Heroic Approach complete the line-up.