Only By Night maintains her unbeaten record over fences at Exeter

Only By Night is likely to head to Cheltenham next month after landing the Listed Agatha Christie Mares’ Novices’ Chase at Exeter.

Victorious on each of her two previous starts over fences, including a Grade Two win at Cork in December, Gavin Cromwell’s charge was a 10-11 favourite to complete her hat-trick and dug deep when challenged by fellow Irish raider Kilbarry Saint on the run-in to prevail by a length.

“I’m delighted to see her win,” said Cromwell.

“They went a good gallop I suppose and the front two (Only By Night and Fun Fun Fun) took each other on. I thought Sean Bowen was very good on the eventual second and I thought for a second after the last he was going to come and nick it, but our mare was brave and pulled out a bit more going to the line.”

Only By Night is 6/1 with the sponsors for the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham, a race Cromwell won last season with Limerick Lace and he looks set to be well represented in the Grade Two contest again.

He added: “She’d be on the list for that along with Bioluminescence, Limerick Lace and Brides Hill. They’ll all have entries anyway and we’ll see where we are nearer the time.”