Plans fluid for Martello Owner Barry Connell is "keeping an open mind" regarding whether to remain over hurdles or pursue a career over fences with Cheltenham Festival hero Martello Tower. The seven-year-old has claimed victory in six of his nine starts for trainer Mags Mullins and was a determined winner of the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Prestbury Park in March. Martello Towers figures in ante-post lists for the RSA Chase and the four-mile National Hunt Chase for next year's Festival, but could yet remain over the smaller obstacles for a tilt at the World Hurdle, for which he is a best-priced 20-1 behind 7-1 favourite Jezki. Connell said: "He's back in work, but we're probably not in any great rush with him. "He could stay over hurdles. We're just keeping an open mind at this stage. "Jezki looks like he's going to be quite good in that three-mile hurdle division this season, but we'll see. "He (Martello Tower) is a good, tough horse and we're not in a hurry." Mullins is happy to go down whichever route Connell prefers. She said: "He's back in doing road-work and we're happy with him. "We haven't decided whether to go over fences or stay hurdling. There are a few options open to him. "He has already schooled over fences round Leopardstown, but we're not quite sure which way we're going to go."
