THE admirable Anna Bunina landed another good prize for John McConnell as she returned to peak form in the €45,000 Bar One Racing Bellewstown Handicap Hurdle but whether this will pave the way for a Galway Hurdle assault looks doubtful at this stage.

This year’s Scottish Champion Hurdle heroine and also successful in a Killarney listed race two months ago, needed to bounce back from a surprise defeat at Down Royal last time but did so in fine style under Shane Fitzgerald. The very well backed 9/2 favourite was always well placed and then took charge of this race from the second last for a convincing four-and-a-half-length success over Hidden Land.