Maca Rince has St Stephen's Day aim

Jarlath Fahey believes Maca Rince deserves to take a step up in class at Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day after winning her last two races.

The progressive three-year-old has the Durkan New Homes Juvenile Hurdle as her next port of call, and Fahey is in positive mood after his filly saw off Paco Jack and Harper Valley last time.

The last-named subsequently outpointed JCB Triumph Hurdle ante-post favourite Franchoek, leaving Fahey looking forward to the Grade One test on December 26.

“Her form has been franked very well and Harper Valley did us a big favour by winning that race at Cheltenham at the weekend,” said the County Kildare-based handler.

“She has good form going into it and she’s already a Graded winner, so she’s entitled to take her chance and hopefully she’ll have a good shot at it.

“The ground should be OK really, no matter which way it goes. It’ll probably be goodish and she won on that at Thurles.

“It was softer when she won at Fairyhouse so she seems fairly versatile and, barring extremities, we’ll be happy enough.”