Maria still has Festival aim after injury scare

Stuart Edmunds has been given the all-clear to step up the training of his smart hurdler Maria's Benefit for the Cheltenham Festival after an injury scare.

The Newport Pagnell trainer called in veterinary advice after his multiple-winning mare was found to have heat in a knee.

However, following a precautionary X-ray, Edmunds can now continue to prepare Maria's Benefit for the Trull House Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle.

Maria's Benefit is a leading fancy for that race after she completed a five-timer in the Grade Two Yorkshire Rose Mares' Hurdle at Doncaster last month.

"I've just had the results from the vet. They are all happy with the knee," said Edmunds.

"There was a bit of heat in it, but they are happy for us to progress with the work and just keep icing the knee.

"Fundamentally she seems fine and her work will now increase ahead of Cheltenham."