Mares' Hurdle possible Cheltenham target for Mrs Milner
- Scott Allen
- 3 January 2022
Mrs Milner could be set for a crack at the Grade 1 Mares' Hurdle at this year's Cheltenham Festival, despite disappointing at Newbury last November.
Trainer Paul Nolan may also consider a run in the Cleeve Hurdle, at Cheltenham in January, before Mrs Milner's second trip to the Festival.
The Flemensfirth mare won the Pertemps Final at the showpiece in the Cotswolds last March and made an excellent star to the new campaign when landing a Listed prize at Limerick in October.
Nolan admitted to being disappointed after his charge could finish only fourth in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury on her latest appearance, but is confident she will bounce back.
Mrs Milner pulls away to win the Pertemps Network Final@kevinblake2011 has done it again Watch LIVE📺 @ITV 📱 https://t.co/qvqqUMKxOG#ITVRacing#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/NuBgWgYk5j — ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 18, 2021
Nolan said: "She went into her shell a bit after her run last time at Newbury. It took more out of her than we thought.
"She didn't run to the line and Bryan (Cooper) was never happy with her. Obviously there must have been something underlying.
"Hopefully we will see a different mare the next day. She looks great at home again and has put on a bit of weight.
"The plan is either to go straight to Cheltenham for the Mares' Hurdle or go there with a run before in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham."
