Golden Ace set for Mares' Hurdle with Jeremy Scott thrilled with her form ahead of Cheltenham Festival

Golden Ace is likely to run in the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle, according to Jeremy Scott, who said he could not be happier with his stable star heading into the Cheltenham Festival.

It emerged after her win in the Kingwell Hurdle that last season's Mares' Novice Hurdle winner suffered a pulled muscle, but her trainer said she had recovered well and was on track for the opening day of the meeting on Tuesday.

News that Brighterdaysahead, who was odds-on favourite for the Mares' Hurdle, would instead feature in the Unibet Champion Hurdle helped persuade Scott to reach his decision. Golden Ace shortened to 13-2 (from 7) on Monday and was backed in to 6-1 on Tuesday.

Scott said: "The Mares' Hurdle is where I think we'll go. Ideally Lossiemouth will skip it too, but that's where we're leaning. It ultimately comes down to the owner but I think we're on the same page.

Owner Ian Gosden (left) and Jeremy Scott with last year's Mares Novices' Hurdle winner Golden AceCredit: Edward Whitaker

"She's recovered well and seems in really good form, I'm really pleased with her. I'm as happy as I could be."

Scott described this season as his toughest yet after a slow start but he fired back to form with a Saturday treble at Wincanton last month, which included Golden Ace's gutsy victory over Burdett Road.

Ian Gosden's seven-year-old had been a beaten favourite at Ascot and Cheltenham over a similar distance to the Mares' Hurdle, but her trainer insists she should have no issue over the two-and-a-half mile trip on Tuesday.

He added: "The ground would be fine for her, as should the trip on that ground too. She won over the distance last season, albeit the opposition wasn't as strong, but I just felt we hadn't had her right all season. 

"All she did in the Kingwell was stay so if that's the route we go then I'd be very happy."

Nicky Henderson revealed William Hill Hurdle winner Joyeuse could also line up in the Mares' Hurdle. It will cost £4,800 to supplement her on Wednesday.

Henderson said: “It hasn’t changed because of Brighterdaysahead going for the Champion but we’ve been waiting to see where the others would go.

“I think the plan would be to supplement her. She can’t run in a handicap at Cheltenham as she hasn’t had enough runs and she seems in very good order.

“If it opens up, as the race looks like it’s starting to, and opens up a little bit more if Lossiemouth goes to the Champion, then we’ll give it a go.

“The big question is if she stays two and a half miles but she came to the boil before Newbury and Nico [de Boinville] is happy with her at this trip if she’s in the same form. She might lack a bit of experience but she was very professional in a big handicap last time.”

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