Skelton confirms Mares' Hurdle target for Roksana

Dan Skelton has announced Roksana will try to regain her title in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle next week at Cheltenham.

The nine-year-old also had the option of running in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle and when Philip Hobbs revealed on Friday that Thyme Hill had met with a setback and would miss the race, her price began to contract for the longer contest.

However, the in-form Skelton took to Twitter to let punters know Roksana would instead take on her own sex, including the impressive Concertista, on Tuesday.

The trainer tweeted: “CONFIRMED — Roksana will run in the Mares’ Hurdle on Tuesday @CheltenhamRaces.”

Roksana won the race two years ago when taking advantage of a fall at the last by Benie Des Dieux.