Melody tuned up for Cheltenham

Glens Melody is set to take on brilliant stablemate Quevega in the OLBG Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival next week.

Quevega is shooting for her sixth consecutive success in the race and is obviously Willie Mullins' main hope, but Glens Melody is a fine second string. A Grade One winner at Punchestown last term, she has been successful in Listed contests at Warwick on her last two outings.

"Glens Melody will take her chance and will be ridden by Paul Townend. She's been a lovely mare for us and will go to stud at the end of the season," said the champion trainer.

Quevega will be making her seasonal return once again in the race, a strategy Mullins has employed for four of her previous wins, and he said: "She's very well and actually did a good bit of work (on Tuesday)."

John Quinn is anticipating "a big run" from Cockney Sparrow if she can handle the step up in trip.

The five-year-old was last seen at Doncaster in January, when she fell two flights from home trying to match strides with the World Hurdle-bound Annie Power from Mullins' yard.

The North Yorkshire handler told OLBG.com: "She's trained well since Doncaster and had a few nice schools. If she stays, and I think she will, I expect her to run a big race."

Donald McCain's Whiteoak claimed the inaugural running of the contest in 2008 and the Cheshire trainer will bid for another success with Doyly Carte this time.

The six-year-old finished second to Annie Power at Doncaster but slightly disappointed when only fourth in the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso, although McCain felt the ground was against her.

He said: "Doyly Carte is a good mare and the ground was just too soft for her at Kelso. We are hoping it dries out a bit for her."

Twenty-one mares stood their ground for the race, with Annie Power still in the field, although her intended target is next Thursday's Ladbrokes World Hurdle.