Benefit is fit to prove her worth in Festival

MARES’ Novices’ Hurdle second favourite Maria’s Benefit is expected to be fully fit for next week’s Cheltenham Festival after an injury scare.

The Stuart Edmunds-trained six-year-old is unbeaten in five starts and most recently knuckled down well to see off Irish Roe in a Grade Two at Doncaster.

Maria’s Benefit (above) was later found to have had heat in a knee, but Edmunds is now confident that issue is behind her as she prepares to take on Willie Mullins’ hot favourite Laurina on Thursday week.

Edmunds said: “She had some heat in her knee after hitting a hurdle very hard at Doncaster.

“She had an MRI scan and everything is now 100 per cent. She’s not missed any work and we’re very happy with her.

“She’s a speedy filly so I would prefer better ground, but it’s all systems go for Cheltenham.”