The amazing story of Skyace (28/1) continued at Punchestown today as she landed the Listed Voler La Vedette Mares Novice Hurdle.

A 600 pound buy out of the Willie Mullins yard in November 2019, the Westerner mare had already secured successes at odds of 15/2, 10/1 and 66/1 since joining John ‘Shark’ Hanlon.

That 66/1 win was in a Grade Three last time at Down Royal on October 30th, but she still went off outsider of the field on this occasion, as she endeavoured to give weight away all round.

Odds-on favourite Finest Evermore had no more left after doing plenty in front, and The Sliding Rock was the one to get closest to Skyace.

Under Jody McGarvey the Birdinthehand Syndicate-owned five-year-old went on from the last to register a five length success.

“She’s improving all the time, jumped beautifully and she stays well. She galloped right to the line and is getting better with every run,” said McGarvey.

When asked if this helped to prove last time was not a fluke he added: “She won a maiden on the bridle, she won a novice hurdle on the bridle and she went to Down Royal and won a Grade 3. I don’t know what more she has to do to prove to people that she’s as good as she is.”

Skyace is 33/1 from 50/1 with Paddy Power for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham. Finest Evermore is 16s from 8s.

(AM & EM)