St Patrick’s Thursday got off to a perfect start for Ireland as Air Of Entitlement (16-1) got up close home to deny fellow Irish challenger Sixandahalf by half a length in the opening Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead said: “We knew we had the stamina and the New Course suits horses with that. We always worry about being too handy in that race, but Rachael was spot on.

“I thought they went a real good gallop and she gave her some spin. It was a little bit like Telmesomethinggirl a few years ago.

“We weren’t as far back as we normally are, but she stayed on really well. I thought when we winged the last we had a chance.

“I knew Keith (Donoghue on Sixandahalf) had been up there the whole way and historically that hasn’t worked as we have had a couple that did that.

“That straight is a long way up there so I thought we had a chance after jumping the last so I’m delighted.

“I always say I prefer coming here fresh and happy rather than feeling that I have to justify myself coming here.

“She was in Colin Bowe’s and she will have jumped more fences than most of those mares in that race. Colin Bowe is so good at what he does. She was there as a point-to-pointer and she jumped well for Sean Flanagan at Down Royal.

“It is always a concern (the lack of hurdles experience), but I wouldn’t be me if I wasn’t concerned about something.

“We will enjoy today and see, but she is a mare with stamina. She is classy and is really exciting. I’m delighted for Robcour as they are brilliant supporters of our yard and of the game.

“All the horses yesterday had a similar chance to her in my mind. You just need it to fall for you.”

Successful jockey Rachael Blackmore said: “it’s a magical place to be up here. It's brilliant, she did it really well, she came through the race lovely. I want to dedicate this to my cousin, Robert Blackmore, who passed away at the weekend, his funeral is today, so I want to dedicate this to him.”

She added: “We (the de Bromhead team) have had a quieter [first] two days. Walking home on Tuesday, I feel I’ve be spoilt the last couple of years getting to go home with a winner on the Tuesday. Henry just does such an incredible job with them when he brings them over here for Cheltenham, they all run above themselves and I’m very lucky to be on some of their backs.”

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of the second Sixandahalf, said: "She ran really well - jumped and travelled really well everywhere, and probably just could have done with something to lead her a bit further. I did think after jumping the last that she was going to go away and win. I suppose there was a target on my back then. She jumped brilliantly and didn't do anything wrong - she just got beat."

Jockey Keith Donoghue added: "She jumped the last a little bit high and was just looking around her and could have done with [something I can't hear, sorry]. I'm very disappointed, but it was also a great run. She's run a cracker, jumped brilliantly and has lost nothing in defeat, it's just disappointing to get caught on the line."

Ben Pauling, trainer of the third Diva Luna, said: "I'd always thought she was in much better form at home, but actually to come here and expect her to produce her best, or close to her best, was a big ask. But she's run a blinder; missed the last, but we still would have been third, and stayed on again after the last. I couldn't be happier, and we might see her out again at some point before the end of the season."

Henry de Bromhead – 24 Festival wins
Rachael Blackmore -17 Festival wins