The Gordon Elliott trained Missy Tata completed a five-timer at Limerick today and effectively booked her Cheltenham ticket with a win in the featured Listed Irish Independent Hurdle, winning under Englsih-based jockey Darryl Jacob.

The daughter of Astarabad made all to beat two rivals, scoring an easy six and a half lengths win over Cap D’Aubois, with four and a half lengths back to last of the trio Swamp Fox

Elliott was at Leopardstown and his assistant Olly Murphy later stated “she is a good mare and I don’t think two miles is her ideal trip so we decided ride her nice and positive. Her Gold Cup is going to be the 2m4f Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham - she is improving the whole time but I doubt we’ll see the real article until she goes jumping fences.

“She is straightforward and stays going well and will have one more run or will go straight to Cheltenham. She is one to look forward to.”

Jacob, who has ridden winners in the past at the Munster venue, added “it was a nice performance and she is obviously a good mare. She’s a tough consistent mare and is a good jumper who will also get further.”

Five horses had been declared to run in the race, three of which contested races in the previous two days. Missy Tata and runner-up Cap D’Aubois were the two ‘fresh’ horses whereas eventual third placed Swamp Fox was 11th at Leopardstown yesterday. Brelade second at Grade 1 level yesterday, and Allblak Des Places fifth at Limerick on St Stephen’s Day, were each non-runners.

By Tom Weekes