Maria's Benefit has Cheltenham target

Maria's Benefit is "99 per cent certain" to go for the Trull House Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival after she completed a five-timer at Doncaster on Saturday.

Trainer Stuart Edmunds believes that is the right race for the six-year-old, who showed tremendous resilience to see off the persistent challenge of Irish Roe on the run to the line in the Grade Two Yorkshire Rose Mares' Hurdle.

Edmunds said: "She was very tough. She's been on the horse-walker and seems fine."

He added: "We'll go to mares' hurdle at the Festival. It's 99 per cent certain. We'll have a discussion with the owners whether we'll have an entry in the Supreme, but I very much doubt it.

"The mares' is the right race."

Maria's Benefit, who was bred by All-Ireland winning Kilkenny hurler Charlie Carter, is a top-priced 5/1 for the mares' race at Cheltenham on March 15th.