Marie's Rock work 'absolutely exceptional' with Relkeel to confirm festival aim

Connections of Marie's Rock will dissect her comeback performance in the Dornan Group-sponsored Relkeel Hurdle (2.30) before deciding whether to aim her at a defence of the Mares' Hurdle or switch to the Stayers' Hurdle for her Cheltenham Festival target.

Her owners Middleham Park Racing report her recent homework to be "absolutely exceptional" in the build-up to her return on New Year's Day at Cheltenham. She has been absent from the racecourse since doubling up at Grade 1 level in the Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown in April.

The Nicky Henderson-trained eight-year-old is favourite but will take on the boys with Knappers Hill and I Like To Move It among those declared. They also benefit from a fitness edge, having won the Elite Hurdle and Greatwood Hurdle respectively.

Yet the syndicate behind Marie's Rock believe she is the one to beat and syndicate manager Tom Palin said: "It's a warmer race than we initially thought it would be but there's no horse screaming 'I win this'. It looks very competitive but I wouldn't swap our mare. With that 7lb sex allowance we get, that tips it in our favour.

"She's been firmly in work all season and her last few pieces of work have been absolutely exceptional – she's as good as she's ever been, possibly a shade better.

"She won two lucrative races last season and we want her to try to defend them. The best chance of doing so is not running her for the sake of it and hopefully giving her fresher legs in the spring. This is why we're only seeing her now."

As it stands, the Mares' Hurdle is the main target for Marie's Rock this season and she is a general 8-1 chance to emulate Quevega, the only multiple winner of the race.

But the defeat of Flooring Porter over Christmas has opened up the staying hurdle division and Marie's Rock can be backed at 16-1 for the championship race in March – if connections decide to change her Cheltenham target.

Sunday's run will also be informative to whether additional prep runs are required.

"At the minute it's the Mares' and that's what we're targeting but let's see what happens," Palin said. "This will be a proper test, it'll be very informative as to where we are in the pecking order, whether we need to go over further or is she still the queen. Hopefully it'll be a case of see you in Cheltenham in March, give us your best shot. It's a big fact-finding mission."

Relkeel Hurdle runners and riders

Botox Has Jamie Moore
KnappersHillHarry Cobden
First StreetJames Bowen
I Like To Move ItSam Twiston-Davies
Langer DanHarry Skelton
TritonicAdrian Heskin
Brewin'upastormAidan Coleman
Dashel DrasherRex Dingle
Marie's RockNico de Boinville

careers@dornangroup.com Relkeel Hurdle (2.30 Cheltenham, Sunday)

bet365: 11-4 Marie's Rock, 7-2 Knappers Hill, 4 I Like To Move It, 6 First Street, 8 Dashel Drasher, 12 Botox Has, Brewin'upastorm, 20 Langer Dan, 25 Tritonic

Who else is running at Cheltenham?

Elsewhere, high-class talent Monmiral is set for his second chasing start in the Paddy Power Novices' Chase (1.20).

He finished a creditable second to Jonbon on his first test over fences and takes on some strong challengers including back-to-back winners Thunder Rock and Colin Parker winner Beauport.

Brave Seasca tops the weights in the Paddy Power New Year's Day Handicap Chase (1.55) where the leading fancies are Midnight River and Il Ridoto.

Monmiral: set for his second chasing start on New Year's DayCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Paddy Power Novices' Chase runners and riders

BeauportJordan Nailor
The Real WhackerSam Twiston-Davies
Harper's BrookLuca Morgan
MonmiralHarry Cobden
MortlachPaddy Brennan
Thunder RockAdrian Heskin

Paddy Power Novices' Chase (1.20 Cheltenham, Sunday)

bet365: 5-4 Monmiral, 15-8 Thunder Rock, 6 Beauport, 10 The Real Whacker, 12 Harper's Book, 50 Mortlach

Stattler v Minella Indo at Tramore

Cheltenham Gold Cup clues can be found in Tramore's Savills New Year's Day Chase (2.15) with Stattler and Minella Indo facing off.

Minella Indo, winner at Cheltenham in 2021 and second last season, has not been seen since pulling up at Punchestown in April.

He clashes with last season's Willie Mullins-trained National Hunt Chase winner, while the trainer also runs El Barra and Cilaos Emery.

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