West Dorset trainer Anthony Honeyball expressed his delight at seeing Coquelicot triumph in the Mariner Systems Mares’ Handicap Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday.

Under a front-running ride from Rex Dingle, Coquelicot never saw another rival as she went on to overturn favourite Glimpse of Gala by three-and-a-quarter lengths.

Posting on his official website, Potwell Farm handler Honeyball said: “She took her time to adjust to hurdles the following season and was never quite right last winter after getting off the mark at Chepstow in November.

“Coquelicot, who is owned by our yard sponsor geegeez.co.uk, has been much healthier since she came back into training and ran with plenty of promise when fourth on the flat at Nottingham last month.

“Coquelicot is going the right way now, is clearly talented and I was really pleased with the way she handled the quicker ground on Saturday.

“She could run again at Cheltenham next month, while further ahead I believe she can be competitive on the flat in staying handicaps.”