The Tullow Tank will not run at the Cheltenham Festival due to the “uncertainty” surrounding trainer Philip Fenton’s ongoing case for alleged possession of anabolic steroids, said his owner Barry Connell.

What this year’s Irish National Hunt Festival at Punchestown confirms is trainers are now targeting it and making sure their best horses are specifically fresh for it.

Jezki boasts a perfect record over flights and the smaller-than-expected field casts aside concerns that he may not operate as well in numerically strong races.

Peter Maher’s Big Shu claimed a narrow victory in the Kildare Hunt Club Fr Sean Breen Memorial Chase, the opening race of the 2012 Punchestown Festival.