Martello Tower at Cheltenham 2015© Photo Healy Racing
Leading owner Barry Connell has confirmed Cheltenham Festival hero Martello Tower will remain over hurdles this season.
The seven-year-old won four times from six starts over the smaller obstacles last term, rounding off his tremendous campaign with a tenacious triumph in the Albert Bartlett at Prestbury Park.
Connell and trainer Mags Mullins considered going down the novice chasing route this time around, but have decided to gear up for a crack at the World Hurdle back at Cheltenham in March.
"He's good and I think we're going to go down the staying hurdle route with him," said Connell.
"We'll probably look to start him off in the three-mile hurdle at Leopardstown (Christmas Hurdle) and go from there.
"He's still a fairly young horse, so we can always go chasing next season."
