Voler La Vedette takes Grabel Mares Hurdle at Punchestown
Voler La Vedette made a pleasing return to action with a cosy victory in the Grabel Mares Hurdle at Punchestown today.
Colm Murphy's smart mare had the perfect start to the new campaign as she outclassed the opposition in this Listed heat.
Barry Geraghty had the 6-4 favourite handily placed in midfield in the early stages as Ocean Bright and Gudnis Gracious Me shared the pace-setting.
Then he barely had to shake up Voler La Vedette to take the lead just before the final flight to pull three lengths clear of Star Wood, with Elyaadi third.
Voler La Vedette is 5-1 with Paddy Power for the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, behind even-money favourite Quevega.
Murphy said: "We're delighted to get that out of the way. She came here a little bit under-cooked and she should improve an awful lot from it.
"The Morgiana (Hurdle at Punchestown) is the obvious place to go now but we won't be getting too carried away yet - we won't go travelling with her until after Christmas.
"She settled like a lamb and the (first-time) ear-plugs worked wonders.
"She went around the parade ring here last year like a scalded cat and had her race run then.
"She was a filly last year but she is a mare this year - there is no comparison."
Muirhead made a workmanlike winning debut over fences in the Dobbins Food Hall Beginners Chase.
The Grade One-winning hurdler jumped satisfactorily, but was hardly breathtaking when pressed by the race-fit Coolavanny Gaffer.
Noel Meade's 2-5 favourite drew closer into contention four out, but still needed plenty of cajoling from Paul Carberry to get on top along the run-in.
The winning distance was only a neck.
Meade said: "He jumped brilliant and that's what the whole thing is about.
"He got a bit tired and I'd suppose you'd have expected him to win easier.
"I didn't want to wind him up but at the same time I wanted to get him out before the heavy ground.
"I think what he wants is a real good gallop and a stamina test. I'd say three miles would be all right, though not on heavy ground.
"He is not a big horse but he schooled well from the start.
"He'll go for a winners' race now in a few weeks' time."
