Roksana right for Mares’ - Skelton
DAN Skelton is convinced he has made the right decision in running Roksana in the Close Brothers’ Mares’ Hurdle.
Skelton could have switched his talented nine-year-old to Thursday’s Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, but he resisted the temptation even after the news that leading fancy Thyme Hill will not run.
Roksana bids to win the Mares’ Hurdle for a second time after scoring in 2019, when she benefited from the final-flight fall of Benie Des Dieux.
Since then she has proved she can be competitive against geldings at the highest level, only being beaten two lengths when third to Paisley Park and Thyme Hill in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December.
“We were always going for the Mares’ Hurdle really. I just confirmed her for the Stayers’ to satisfy myself that we were making the right decision and to give us a little bit longer to make sure that we were right after Thyme Hill came out,” said the Alcester handler.
“We just wanted to make sure we were happy, and we are. She’s in great form at home and brings some very strong form into the race.
“She’s obviously coming back in trip as she’s done her racing at three miles this year. She stays very strongly. I don’t think there’s any need to talk about whether she has better form than Concertista or not. We’ll find out.”
Concertista, trained by Willie Mullins, took the Grade Two mares’ novice hurdle at last year’s Festival and has won both her starts this season. Mullins is also represented by Great White Shark and My Sister Sarah.
Minella Melody has yet to get the better of Concertista, but connections of the Henry de Bromhead-trained seven-year-old expect her to run well.
“I can’t get over her price, to be honest. It’s hard to see her beating Concertista, who has beaten her twice, but I think she’s the forgotten mare of the race,” said Peter Molony, racing manager to owner Kenny Alexander.
“Black Tears is half her odds. The last day we ran against her we were giving her 6lb and beat her six lengths, so I’m not sure she’s a much shorter price than Minella.”
Nicky Henderson reverts to hurdles with Dame De Compagnie, after a brief spell chasing.
“She won the two-runner race at Ayr and we were a bit short of opportunities then and I had to throw her into a Grade One, which was a bit of a baptism of fire really and it was just a bit too much for her,” said the Seven Barrows handler.
“She’s in very good form and the fall (in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase) did her no harm. I don’t see why she shouldn’t come back over hurdles and two-and-a-half is her trip, as she showed in the Coral Cup last year. She’s not ready for the Mares’ Chase as yet, especially after the incident at Sandown. We can always go back over fences next year.”
Henderson said of his other runner, Floressa: “She has been running good races at two miles in graded company and we’ve always felt two-and-a-half would suit her.”
Aye Right bids to land a deserve success in the Ultima Handicap Chase after going close in three decent prizes this term.
Harriet Graham’s eight-year-old has finished second in the Ladbrokes Trophy and Sky Bet Chase, and third in the Charlie Hill Chase.