Roksana proved a cut above her rivals in the Grade Two Matchbook Betting Podcast Mares' Hurdle at Ascot.
Harry Skelton’s only worry aboard the well-backed 8/15 favourite was choosing when to send her past Magic Of Light who led going to the last.
The Irish raider, winner of this race for the last two years, was brushed aside a few strides after the obstacle, the winner sauntering clear to win by eight lengths.
“We haven’t done an awful lot with her since her last run it was a lovely ace to pick up, a very important one, and I couldn’t be happier,” the jockey told ITV Racing.
“All options are open for her and from a jockeys’ point of view she’s getting better and better. She’s a good strong mare now and we’re lucky to have a horse like this. She’s consistent and is backing up her runs.”
😍 Now this is how you want to see an 8/15 favourite win - Roksana a cut above her Ascot rivals.pic.twitter.com/LNP9Thdk2g
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) January 23, 2021
Dan Skelton’s charge has the option of the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle or Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Betfair and Paddy Power halved her in price to 6/1 for the latter (non-runner/no bet). Sky Bet are 10s from 12s.
Head of Sports PR Michael Shinners said: “It was an impressive performance from the ultra-consistent Roksana and we cut her from 12/1 from 10s off the back of it.”
Skelton’s assistant Tom Messenger said: “It was always the plan to give her three races – at Wetherby, the Long Walk and this race – before letting her down ahead of a possible trip to Cheltenham. It’s now up in the air whether she runs in the mares’ race there, the Stayers’ Hurdle or waits for Aintree.
“You would like to think she wouldn’t be far away if we headed for the Stayers’, and it looks up for grabs in an open year. You have to be in it to win it, and she’s a tough individual that can be kept in hard training.”
