Willie Mullins's Quevega took the step up to three miles in her stride when turning in a hugely impressive performance to win the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle at Punchestown today.
Paul Townend tracked the leaders throughout on the six-year-old before moving into contention going to the second last.
She edged ahead approaching the last and Townend was never worried as Bensalem and stablemate Mourad tried in vain to get to their rival, eventually going down by three lengths and one and a half lengths.
Winning trainer Mullins stated afterwards: "Paul [Townend] said she was moving easily all the way and he had no problems with her."
"Her dam won over long distances and her win at Cheltenham (over 2m4f) told us she had the stamina to win over three miles."
"I think she has the class to go back over two miles and she showed that last year."
"She might have an entry for the mares hurdle, stayers hurdle and maybe even the champion hurdle at Cheltenham next year."
"I wouldn't mind doing what we did last year and go straight to Cheltenham or just give her one run. The injury she had last year is still at the back of my mind."
"I don't know if we'll go to France or not yet but the prize money over there is fantastic."
Mullins, meanwhile, was delighted with the run of third placed Mourad, saying “Mourad ran a cracker, for a five year old, but threw away his winning chance by taking on Quevega, and that probably cost him second place.”
He added “Mourad isn't really a winter horse and may now be kept 'on the go', with a Flat campaign a possibility.”
