Skyace crowns Hanlon's year at 66/1

Shark Hanlon ’s Skyace rocked the favourite Queens Brook with a devastating finish to land the Grade 3 mares’ novices’ hurdle over an extended two miles in Down Royal.

The 66/1 outsider fairly flew home from third at the last to cut down 6/5 favourite Queens Brook in the final strides to win by a head. Brave Way (11/4) was a length and a half further away in third.

Jockey Jody McGarvey said: “She has been a fair old servant. In fairness to Shark (Hanlon) he bought her for 600 quid at the Horses in Training Sale and that’s three I’m after winning on her now.

“She has her black-type - It was a great piece of buying and placing by Shark.

“She had a hard race and got a fall the last day (in Tipperary). Shark had her back in tip-top shape today.

“Two miles is a bit on the sharp side for her but they have gone so fast it turned into a bit of a stamina test. She was going best at the line.”

Shark Hanlon added from his yard in Co Carlow: "There were a couple of good mares in the race, but I honestly thought she'd finish in the first three.

"It's topped off the year for me as it's our 16th winner since the restart and I think we've had 20 seconds. I think we've only run around 30 horses, so it's been unbelievable.

"We've no real plans for this mare, but she's entitled to go for some of those Graded mares races now. I'd love to give her a break and bring her back for Punchestown. The owners are talking about Cheltenham, but whether she's good enough, I don't know.

"The owners are from Wexford, but they're actually in Dubai. I've spoken to them on the phone and I'd say there'll be plenty of celebrating going on tonight over there!

"She's a very good mare and I'm lucky to have her."

Reflecting on her cheap purchase, Hanlon added: "I went over to the sales and the boys that own her told me they wanted a horse. I rang them and said there was a filly there who had been placed twice behind another good mare of mine, Dime A Dozen.

"They asked me how much I thought she'd make and I said she'd make around £15,000! They told me not to come home without her and we bought her for £600.

"She has never had a lame step with me since she landed here.”

Gordon Elliott said of Queens Brook: “Over two miles she probably got racing too early before the third last. She did nothing wrong only got beaten.

“I’d say two and a half miles on soft ground.”