The Cheltenham festival may be missing Big Buck’s this year but Quevega is back in search of an unprecedented fifth victory in the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle. The nine-year-old mare is one of the shortest priced favourites of the week and confirmed her well being when galloping after racing at Leopardstown last weekend.
The mare has not been seen in action since beating Voler La Vedette by five and a half lengths at Punchestown in April last year but it has been a similar story for the last three seasons. Ridden by Katie Walsh, Quevega tracked Boxer Georg, Fiveforthree and another stable companion before striding on in an easy canter. Mullins was delighted and will give her a few bits of work before her festival engagement. She still holds an entry in the World Hurdle but no decision will be taken on her participation until after the David Nicholson.
If Quevega can record a remarkable fifth consecutive victory she will become the first horse to do so at the festival since Golden Miller won five Cheltenham Gold Cups between 1932 and 1936. Kentford Grey Lady finished four lengths behind her last year and has been brought along steadily this season with this race in mind. She looked to have every chance in the valuable Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock last time but failed to quicken and finished a close fourth to Across The Bay. She previously finished third to leading World Hurdle hopes Reve De Sivola and Oscar Whisky.
Another horse who must be sick of the sight of Quevega’s backside is Alasi, taking her on for the fourth consecutive year in this race. She has finished fourth for the past two seasons and offered encouragement when defeating the odds-on Champion Court in a chase at Kempton last month. is on course to take Quevega on again after finishing behind Nicky Henderson’s Une Artiste at Sandown and then finishing a good third at Cheltenham. The two that beat her were Reve De Sivola and Oscar Whisky, leading candidates for the World Hurdle, so she could hardly have better form going into the race.
Une Artiste is likely to provide Quevega with her biggest test having won her last two races at Sandown and Wetherby. She was consistently under-rated last season and sprang a 40-1 surprise when winning the Fred Winter Hurdle at last year’s festival. She followed up in a listed race before blotting her copybook when refusing to race at Punchestown at the end of April. She soon regained the winning thread and has twice beaten Alasi this season. She will certainly not be a 40-1 chance this season.
Summary
If Quevega arrives in the same form as last year there can only be one outcome but Une Artiste looks capable of throwing down a serious challenge to the favourite. Kentford Grey Lady and Alasi once again look as if they will be playing for places.
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
