Straightforward for Maire Banrigh at Huntingdon

Arkle could be preferred over Marsh Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Maire Banrigh moved closer to an appearance at the Cheltenham Festival when maintaining her unbeaten record over fences in the Pertemps Lady Protectress Mares’ Chase at Huntingdon.

The Dan Skelton-trained eight-year-old gained the most significant success of her career by making her first start at Listed level a triumphant one in the extended two-mile-three-furlong contest.

Stalking long-time leader Dalila Du Seuil for much of the race, the 1-4 favourite moved into the lead over the second-last under Harry Skelton before crossing the line with 11 lengths in hand.

The winning rider said: “We’ve always said she wants good ground, so two and a half on that ground definitely was a bit of a stretch for her, but she got the job done and that is now six on the bounce.

“Everyone wants to be at the Festival and Cheltenham has been very good to John (Hales, owner) and his family and I’m sure they have got those aspirations. She is a good mare.

“I’d say so (the Arkle over the Marsh Hurdle), but we will make more of a plan now. That was very much job done today and we will see where we go in the spring.”

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