Honeysuckle really put her name in the spotlight when landing the Eco Friendly Cups Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle 12 months ago and the same connections of Kenny Alexander, Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore were again on the mark in this Grade 3 feature at Fairyhouse as Minella Melody landed the spoils.

The daughter of Flemensfirth was close to the pace-setting Colreevy throughout this 2m2f event, and just held a slight advantage over that rival approaching the final flight.

A better jump at the last settled the issue and the 100/30 chance kept on strongly to beat 11/4 favourite Colreevy by two and a half lengths.

Dolcita kept on at one pace a further half a length away in third.

De Bromhead said, “I thought she toughed it out again and she's obviously a lady that doesn't kill herself and only does enough. Rachael was brilliant on her and I'm delighted to get it for Kenny.

“She's probably more of a staying type mare but we'll keep all our options open and see. We'll enter her for the mares novice at Cheltenham and we'd have to certainly consider that and we might put her in the Ballymore as well.

“She's a lovely mare and is fairness to her with the penalty there I thought she really toughed it out and I'm delighted to win it.”

Betfair make Minella Melody 11/2 (from 12/1 ) for the Dawn Run Mares Novice at Cheltenham.

The Waterford trainer also reports Honeysuckle in good shape ahead of Leopardstown next weekend.

“Honeysuckle is in good form, she's really well, and I'm delighted with her at the moment. I'm apprehensive before I run her in anything but I'm looking forward to it.”

When asked if her performance there would shape plans for the rest of the season he said, “We'll see how we get on and then we'll digest all that. We'll try and get to next Saturday first and see from there.

“You'd have to be worried about ground as it seems to be changing. We'll keep an eye on all of that and see.”

(GC & AM)