El Fabiolo gets career back on track over hurdles El Fabiolo (6/4 favourite) completed doubles for Willie and Danny Mullins when running out an emphatic winner of the Make The Tote App Your New Year's Resolution NYE Hurdle at Punchestown. The four-time Grade One winner over fences was making his seasonal debut over hurdles after three falls from four outings over the larger obstacles last term. The classy son of Spanish Moon made all the running under Mullins who was deputising for Paul Townend, with the latter having been stood down after a fall in the opener. El Fabiolo went away from Ballyadam on the run to the last and, as the latter weakened, Glen Kiln came through to take second. The winning margin was eight and a half lengths with Spillane's Tower a head farther back in third. Trainer Mullins was pleased have Simon Munir and Isaac Souede's rising nine-year-old back on track and reflected “It was a lovely performance. He jumped well and just fiddled two down the back. “It’s nice to have him back in winning form and we’ll have to look for a nice race in the spring for him. “My thought at the moment is to stay over hurdles. The Aintree Hurdle could be a long-term plan.” “Paul (Townend) has a sore rib and, hopefully, he’ll be okay to ride tomorrow.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee
