Mullins and Townend double up with Embassy Gardens

Embassy Gardens booked his ticket to the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham after an authoritative victory in the 2m7f W.T. O´Grady Memorial EBF Novice Hurdle.

This was a step up in trip for the Shantou gelding and he travelled kindly to race upsides Kilbree Warrior after three out.

It was soon evident that he was going much the better and Paul Townend sent him into the lead before the penultimate flight.

The pair were clear between the last two hurdles and eased right away. Thgey flicked through the top of the last but weren't troubled in delivering by a whopping 35 lengths from Kilbree Warrior (18/1 to 10/1).

This gave Mullins and Townend a double on the card after Allegorie De Vassy s success in the opening Grade 2 mares' novices' chase.

Mullins said: "That was a bit more straightforward and he appreciates that step out to three miles. I imagine the way he gallops through the line, he'll take up his date in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham. He doesn't need a run before Cheltenham.

"Hopefully he stays sound and wins a nice novice race this year and he looks a real chasing type."

Paddy Power cut Embassy Gardens from 20/1 to 7/1 for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes