Neptune the likely race for The Tank

Philip Fenton is convinced The Tullow Tank was not at his best when he was beaten for the first time this season at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The Tipperary trainer reports the six-year-old in good form on Monday morning and is looking to get him in peak condition for Cheltenham next month.

At this stage, the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle is the more likely objective, but The Tullow Tank is also in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

He was odds-on to complete a hat-trick of Grade One victories in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle but could not get to grips with all-the-way winner Vautour and suffered a three-length reverse.

"He's absolutely fine after his run. I have a feeling that maybe I didn't have him at his best," said Fenton.

"I have a gut feeling he just wasn't in tip-top form. Let's hope we can get him back on track.

"It's Cheltenham next for him. That's where we'd like to end up.

"The Neptune would probably look the more obvious one, but we have made no decision yet."