Royal Kahala (3/1 second favourite) gained a third Fairyhouse success in succession in the Wishing Everyone A Healthy 2021 Mares Hurdle this afternoon.

Kevin Sexton had to squeeze through on the Winning Ways Starlet Syndicate-owned and Peter Fahey-trained six-year-old before the final flight.

Even money shot Hook Up got this hurdle wrong and Royal Kahala wasn’t long about asserting her superiority. She was a good five length winner at the line.

Paddy Power go 8/1 from 20/1 about Royal Kahala for the mares’ novices’ hurdle at Cheltenham, and not surprisingly Fahey likes the daughter of Flemensfirth a lot.

He said: “To be honest I was fairly confident in her coming into the race.

“I know it was a hot race but the way she won the last two she found loads in the closing stages.

“She did it again today and she's a very nice filly, we are lucky to have her.

“I'd say the plan will be to come back here for the Solerina Hurdle at the end of the month.

“When I was looking at this race I was thinking it would be an easy target but when the entries came out it was stiff enough competition.

“She did it well today and fingers crossed everything goes alright and she comes back here.

“I liked how much she picked up from the back of the last. She stays well and Kevin said she was strong at the line. A fast run race will suit her even better.”

(GC & EM)