Review: Down Royal Friday action

Voler La Vedette picked up quotes for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham next March as she ran out a hugely impressive winner of the WKD Core Hurdle at Down Royal.

Colm Murphy's mare had the novice Luska Lad and Supreme Novices' Hurdle hero Go Native for company on the turn for home and all looked set for a battle royal.

But the 5-4 favourite skipped clear for a 13-length success over Go Native without being made to work hard by stand-in Barry Geraghty, who was replacing the injured Matt O'Connor.

William Hill make the mare 25-1 for the Champion Hurdle, while Victor Chandler offer just 20-1.

Premier Victory bounced back to her best after two below-par runs as she eased to victory in the EBF Hamptons Furnishings Mares Novice Hurdle despite a last-flight blunder.

Tom Hogan's five-year-old was up with the pace all the way in the Grade Three contest and by the second-last had opened up a gap that was never threatened.

Supporters of the 6-1 chance had a scare when she made a complete hash of the final obstacle, but John Cullen picked her up again to score by a cosy nine lengths from Grangeclare Gold.

Nicanor, conqueror of Denman over hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival in 2006, returned to action with a promising performance to finish second in the J.W.J.Porter & Co Beginners Chase.

He made stealthy progress to join issue at the third-last but could not shake off Mighty Massini (16-1), who proved the stronger on the run-in under Paddy Flood and scored by three-quarters of a length.

Chebona Bula led at the second-last and reversed recent Thurles form with favourite Doctor Deejay to take the Eventsec 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle by a length and a quarter under Shay Barry.

Paul Flynn's Danderry (10-1) led before three out to take the Allianz Maiden Hurdle with some authority, finishing eight lengths clear under Mick Darcy.