Willie Mullins felt Shaneshill and Nichols Canyon could have been feeling the effects of a long campaign after the Graham Wylie-owned duo finished second and third respectively in the Calvin Houghland Iroquois Hurdle on Saturday.

Though Shaneshill, the mount of Danny Mullins, rallied strongly after the last flight, he went down by a neck to former Irish runner Rawnaq.

Nichols Canyon and Ruby Walsh were another three lengths away in the Grade 1 at Percy Warner Park in Nashville, Tennessee.

Mullins said: "Nichols Canyon did not jump that well and maybe wasn't best suited by going left-handed, while Shaneshill ran a big race.

"However, for both horses this was probably one race too many, but we look forward to returning next year."

The race is part of the Brown Advisory Iroquois Cheltenham Challenge, which involves the Ryanair World Hurdle and the Tennessee race.

If any horse can win the two three-mile Grade 1s within 12 months, connections would earn a $500,000 bonus.

Rawnaq's owner Irvin Naylor is keen to take up the challenge. "There were so many good horses in the race and our jockey rode a superb race," said Naylor.

"He was always in the right place at the right time. The horse jumped flawlessly and the trainer had him tuned to the highest level.

He continued: "It all came together for this most important race. Rawnaq gave it all and you cannot ask for more of a horse than to give his all.

"He is the best and I think he will represent the US well at Cheltenham. I look forward to going forward with this challenge."