Quevega team chase fourth Mares’ Hurdle

Willie Mullins believes Quevega is stronger than ever as she bids for a fourth successive triumph in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Since winning this prize for the first time in 2009, the eight-year-old has actually only graced the racecourse six times, delighting punters with two further victories at Prestbury Park as well as registering two wins against the boys at Punchestown. As has become tradition, she makes her seasonal reappearance in this Grade Two contest, better known as the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle, but the Irish champion trainer could not be happier with her condition.

“Jess, who rides her all the time, thinks she’s stronger than she was when she rode her out at Cheltenham last year,” said Mullins. “We’re happy with the ground for her and fingers crossed all goes well.”

Mullins also saddles Dare To Doubt, a recent winner over fences at Thurles. “Dare To Doubt won her chase last time, but she schooled well at the Curragh the other day over hurdles,” the trainer added. “On her Irish hurdle form, she has a great chance of getting some good place money.”

Second in the betting to the long odds-on Quevega is the Prunella Dobbs-trained Our Girl Salley. She has won seven times in Ireland and although she was beaten over three miles at Ascot last time, jockey Andrew Lynch feels she will be more effective over this shorter trip. “I rode her in Punchestown and she ran well, then she won well at Christmas. She seems in good form,” said Lynch.