Silk Affair stayed on best up the punishing hill to land the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Mick Quinlan's filly took up the running from well-backed 5-2 favourite Alexander Severus at the final flight and never looked like being caught from that point.

Ski Sunday was three lengths back in second, while Saticon was third.

Alexander Severus, who finished fourth, travelled like the winner for most of the extended two-mile heat but the spectre of the daunting incline proved too much for him.

The 11-1 winner, ridden by Tom O'Brien, was going in search of her fourth successive victory and kept pulling out more from the final flight.

Miss Sarenne, trained by Nicky Henderson, was a much better-fancied mare but she failed to land any sort of a blow.

Noel Quinlan, brother and assistant to the winning trainer, said: "After this she deserves a rest.

"For me, she could turn into a David Nicholson or World Hurdle filly next year.

"Last year we spent all our time chasing black type on the Flat, running in races like the Irish Oaks.

"There is a Grade Three race at Fairyhouse at Easter but, if the owner agrees, will give her a nice break.

"She is a very tough filly and I had no worries about the hill.

"It was nice to see Tom being so patient coming down the hill just biding, biding and biding.

"The only worry I had was the ground drying out as she has won over two and a half miles on stiff tracks.

"Tom has a very cool head and rides a good race.

"I'm driving in a mini-bus back to Newmarket so we'll have a celebration when we get back."

O'Brien said: "I'm really delighted because I've ridden her all season.

"I was wondering as I was going along 'is this the one to give me my first Festival winner?'.

"She just kept building and building and has got a real future.

"She puts her head down and gallops like a greyhound."

Tim Vaughan, trainer of runner-up Ski Sunday, said: "I'm delighted because I've only been training for a little while and this was our first serious runner.

"He wasn't done one or two favours in-running but we can't begrudge the winner."

Alan King said of third-placed Saticon: "He's very tough but, to be honest, the ground wasn't quick enough for him."

Edward O'Grady, trainer of vanquished favourite Alexander Severus, said: "The jockey felt he didn't get up the hill."