Love Me Tender easily retains unbeaten hurdles record The Willie Mullins trained Love Me Tender made it two from two over flights when easily winning the Overlander Fishery Lane Novice Hurdle at Naas. Held up towards rear of the four runners by jockey Paul Townend, the H O S Syndicate & OTI Racing owned 1/2f went second early in the straight. Joining leader Bartholomew at the final flight, the four-year-old quickened up impressively to win by 15 lengths. “It was a good performance without being efficient. He has a lot to improve on with his jumping, I was only happy with one hurdle — the last hurdle,” said Mullins. “I thought he settled better and he’s learning to race more at jumping pace rather than at Flat pace. “It’s a project that will have to improve but he’s coming the right way. “He looks to have a serious engine and I’ve never opened the throttle, Paul hasn’t either. “It’s no good having an engine if you can’t jump, he has to learn. He has a good bit of learning to do in that department. “We’ll look at the Royal Bond but Christmas might be better, it just gives more time for us to get through to him about his jumping.” Paddy Powers went 6/ (from 12/1) Love Me Tender for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and 12/1 (from 25/1) for the Turners Novices' Hurdle
