JOE CULLEN BOOKS HIS TICKET FOR CHELTENHAM Last year`s Cheltenham bumper hero Joe Cullen drifted alarmingly before the the Asbourne Maiden Hurdle but the market proved inaccurate, to say the least, when Ruby Walsh partnered the generously-priced 3/1 chance to a smooth victory over Native Scout and Saddler`s Mark at Fairyhouse on Saturday.'He jumped well on ground he hated and I`d hope to get another run into him before heading to Cheltenham,' said trainer Willie Mullins whose charge is quoted as low as 8/1 for the Supreme Novices` Hurdle at the Cotswolds next month.Noel Meade and promising seven-pound claimer Ian Power combined to win the two-and-a-half mile novice hurdle with Neath Native Sky while the Navan handler was back in the winners enclosure later when Native Dara made all in the hands of Jason Titley in the two mile handicap chase.'Native Dara will be entered for the two-and-a-half mile chase (Mildmay of Flete) and the Coral Cup again and a couple of other races at Cheltenham. We`ll play it by ear and seehow he comes on over the next few weeks but he loves good ground,' said Meade after his 48 1/2 / 1 brace.Willie Mullins added another string to his Cheltenham bumper bow when One Night Out justified favouritism under James Nash in the concluding bumper.'He`s booked his ticket now,' remarked Mullins, who also nominated Davenport Milenium a definite runner for the Cheltenham showdown. ' We have a few more that are good enough but they must qualify. That is the problem and the heavy ground isn`t a help either,' said Mullins, who has won the Cheltenham bumper on no less than four occasions.One lucky jackpot punter walked away with a handsome dividend of #20,608.50 when Philip O`Brien conjured up a winning surge aboard Michael Cullen`s 14/1 shot Fatalistic to hold off the persistent challenge of Mohera King in a thrilling finish to the 2m4f beginners chase. (BF).
