Black Tears seals Grade 3 honours

The decimated field in the Grade 3 Quevega Mares Hurdle at Punchestown looked to be at the mercy of Black Tears and so it proved as she powered home.

There were no less than four non runners, including her main market rival Great White Shark The Getaway Star took the five runners along in this two and a half mile test, however, Black Tears took closer order in pursuit of her two out.

The leader came under a drive rounding the home bend and was picked off before the last by a pushed-along Black Tears.

The 2/5 favourite drew right away on the run-in to score by a comfortable five lengths. The Getaway Star (16/1) held on to second place by three parts of a length from Darrens Hope

Jockey Jack Kennedy said: “It was very straightforward. She jumped and travelled well.

“She picked off the leader easily and was idle up the straight. She jumped very well.”

This was Black Tears' fourth career success, and her first since landing the Grade B mares' handicap hurdle at last year's Dublin Racing Festival.

Gordon Elliott 's seven-year-old Jeremy mare holds entries in the Grade One Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle and the Grade 3 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival this month.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee