Chasing Cyclone excites Hanlon

Shark Hanlon cannot wait to see the apple of his eye Hidden Cyclone embark on his eagerly-awaited novice chase campaign at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Beginners Chase starting point for Hidden Cyclone

Hidden Cyclone is set to commence his eagerly-awaited novice chase campaign at Leopardstown's big meeting over Christmas. John Hanlon's six-year-old developed into one of the best novice hurdlers in Ireland last season, winning two Grade Two events and a decent race at Naas. Hanlon decided to miss Cheltenham and Punchestown with the horse's long-term interests at heart, as the trainer has always viewed him as a chasing prospect. "We'll start him off at Leopardstown over Christmas," said Hanlon. "He's in savage form, he's really well, he's doing everything right and seems to be a lot stronger than he was last season. "I'm very happy and the plan is Leopardstown. "We'll start him off in a beginners' (chase) and work our way up from there. We're very happy with the way he's coming along. "He's schooled well and everything is going to plan."