Myska remains on course for next month's Cheltenham Festival despite disappointing for the first time at Punchestown.

The six-year-old established herself as a leading contender for the inaugural running of the Trull House Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Prestbury Park after winning each of her three starts, completing her hat-trick in a Listed event at Taunton in December.

She was a hot favourite to beat the boys and extend her unbeaten record in County Kildare, but weakened rapidly from the home turn to finish last of five runners, although it was soon clear why she did not run up to her best.

Steve Massey, racing manager for the owning syndicate the Supreme Horse Racing Cub, said: "She disappointed the other day, but was found to be coughing immediately after the race.

"We still have nearly six weeks until Cheltenham, so we should be fine and the plan is still to go there.

"She's been entered in the Neptune and the Albert Bartlett, where she'd get a handy allowance from the boys, but she'll more than likely run in the new mares' novice. We're just keeping our options open.

"It's a dream to have a runner at Cheltenham, so we're not getting carried away about winning at this stage.

"At the end of the day there are only seven winners out of around 150 horses that run each day, so you have to be realistic.

"Having said that, we still think Myska is a very good mare and we know she's a lot better than her last run."

Myska is a 12-1 shot with Coral for the mares' novice hurdle, a race for which stable companion Limini is the even-money favourite.