Cheltenham Report: Starlight Rose Runs with Credit
Third place in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle — the future is bright
Starlight Rose ran another excellent race at the Cheltenham Festival, finishing third in the Grade 2 Mares' Novices' Hurdle on ground that was slightly faster than ideal for her.
The race was run at a searching gallop and she was unable to quite reproduce her Leopardstown brilliance on the faster surface, but she stuck to her task gamely and was beaten only two and a half lengths.
Paul Townend reported afterwards: "She ran a lovely race. The ground just wasn't in her favour today — on soft or heavy ground, she's a different animal. Leopardstown in the spring is on the radar."
Willie Mullins confirmed that Punchestown will be the next target, where softer ground is expected. The team are excited about what lies ahead for this remarkable mare.