Skyace with 'Shark' Hanlon and Jody McGarvey© Photo Healy Racing
'Shark' Hanlon is pleased with Skyace as she prepares to step out of novice company at Punchestown next week.
The bargain £600 buy completing a fairytale story when landing Grade 1 glory at Fairyhouse earlier in the month having previously been fourth in the mares novice contest at Cheltenham.
She steps into open company now in the Coolmore Kew Gardens Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle at the festival and Hanlon believes she deserves her place in the field.
“I think she's after improving again, I honestly do, I think she's only coming to herself,” said Hanlon.
“She got 5lb for Fairyhouse, which she was entitled to get. She's up in the 140s now and a lot of the mares in the race are 145 or 146 but I'm happy enough to go and I think we're entitled to take it on.
“There is a lot of prize-money in these mares race. This is worth €120,000, there is €25,000 for second and €10,000 for third so if you finish in the first three it's the same as winning any ordinary race or even a bit more.
“It would also be more black-type for the mare down the road when she goes breeding.
“We'd be hoping to go for the two-and-a-half mile mares race at Cheltenham next year.
“We went for the two mile this year and we knew going over that the trip was too short for her. We said we'd give her a chance and in fairness she ran a cracker, the further they were going the better she was running.
“I'd like to think, with everything staying sound, we'd get back to Cheltenham next March.”
