Voler gets campaign off to cracking start

Voler La Vedette made an excellent return to action in the Listed Grabel Mares Hurdle, running out a stylish three length winner from the game Star Wood at Punchestown.

Barry Geraghty travelled best of all on Voler La Vedette, he let her stride on early in the straight and the outcome was soon beyond doubt as the daughter of King's Theatre strode clear on the run-in. There was a five length gap back to the third placed Elyaadi (Voler La Vedette's main market-rival).

Winning trainer Colm Murphy said: "We're delighted to get that out of the way. She came here a little bit under-cooked and she should improve an awful lot from it.

"The Morgiana (Hurdle at Punchestown) is the obvious place to go now but we won't be getting too carried away yet. We won't go travelling with her until after Christmas.

"She settled like a lamb and the ear-plugs (1st time wearing them) worked wonders. She went around the parade-ring here last year like a scalded cat and had her race run then.

"She was a filly last year but she is a mare this year – there is no comparison."