Function Dream put herself in the picture for the Cheltenham festival with a determined success in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot on Saturday.

Mary Reveley, the mare's trainer, has yet to strike gold at the prestigious meeting but that particular duck could be broken in March should she challenge with Function Dream.

Cheered on by a huge contingent who journeyed across from Cork with jubilant owner Tom Walsh, the well-handicapped Function Dream justified to 2 to 1 favouritism with a superb two-and-a-half-length success over Cenkos.

Surrounded by his cheering compatriots, Walsh admitted that the reason he brought the mare over to be trained by Mrs Reveley was that they "might find a little handicap chase for her".

Mrs Reveley was recommended by Walsh's cousin Grand National-winning trainer Ted.

Walsh, who owns the Scart Stud and whose wife Noreen bred the mare, said: "Mrs Reveley is a top trainer and I would trust my life with her.

"We thought we would bring Function Dream over because there are better opportunities in handicap chases over here and we thought we might find a little one for her to win. We've now found five of them."

On all five occasions, including Wetherby's Castleford Chase over Christmas, Function Dream has been partnered by Tony Ross who described the mare as "unbelievably tough".