Hanlon's hero claims 16th career win

The Shark Hanlon trained Hidden Cyclone claimed the 16th win of a fine career at Punchestown today, landing the Coral.ie Racehorse Ownership Rated Hurdle under jockey Danny Mullins.

The son of Stowaway was sent to the front from the start by Mullins and while some of the pack did close on the 11 year old front-runner entering the home straight, Mullins’ mount responded gamely when asked for maximum effort, eventually staying on to beat Rashaan by two and a quarter lengths.

Hanlon later stated “I’d say he jumped better than ever there. Danny said he got an easy lead and he took advantage of it - it was a great ride.

“He will stay hurdling and go for those conditions races, and he might have a run on the Flat. I’d love to have a go at the Galway Hurdle again next year (finished fourth in the race in 2015 and second this year).

“I firmly believe that if you give older horses a break then they don’t come back, so we’ll keep him going but not over-race him. We will find something in a few months’ time.”

The popular veteran has yet to win at Grade 1 level, despite numerous near misses, but is now the winner of 16 of his 38 starts and has bagged E530,000 in total career prizemoney.

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee