Oldschool Outlaw calls the tune at Fairyhouse

Oldschool Outlaw is likely to be part of Gordon Elliott’s Cheltenham Festival squad judged on a thoroughly impressive victory in the BetVictor Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Formerly trained by Garry Caldwell, the six-year-old won a Listed bumper at Navan on her debut for new connections before claiming the notable scalp of last season’s Champion Bumper heroine Bambino Fever on her hurdling bow at Naas in December.

Those victories were enough to see JP McManus secure her services and the daughter of Walk In The Park was the 1-2 favourite to get off to a winning start in the leading owner’s famous green and gold silks at Grade Three level in County Meath.

After tracking the Willie Mullins-trained Place De La Nation for much of the two-and-a-quarter-mile journey, Oldschool Outlaw edged in front in the back straight and asserted from the home turn to score by nine lengths.

The owner’s racing manager Frank Berry said: “She jumped great and Mark (Walsh) said she felt good and quickened up lovely after the last. You could only be pleased with what she did.

“She seemingly handles that ground very well. He was impressed with the way she picked up. You couldn’t be happier with her.”

Oldschool Outlaw is a 7-2 chance for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham with William Hill, who make Bambino Fever their 2-1 favourite.

Berry added: “We’ll leave it to Gordon now to see what he wants to do and see where he wants to go with her. As of now you couldn’t be happier to have her anyway.”