Prolific Maire Banrigh earns possible tilt at Racing Post Arkle

Maire Banrigh has the Cheltenham Festival firmly in her sights after completing a fabulous six-timer in the Listed Pertemps Lady Protectress Mares’ Chase at Huntingdon.

The eight-year-old, who is part-owned by John Hales, has not looked back since undergoing wind surgery two years ago and is subsequently unbeaten in two starts over hurdles and four over fences.

Her four-timer over fences began off a mark of 122 at Stratford last October, but the now 148-rated mare has improved so dramatically that connections are eyeing a tilt at the Racing Post Arkle.