Scott favouring Mares’ Hurdle for Golden Ace

Connections of Golden Ace are leaning towards the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival now that Brighterdaysahead’s Champion Hurdle intentions are confirmed, but options will remain open until the last moment.

The seven-year-old is the only horse to have defeated Gordon Elliott’s star mare, who lost out by nearly two lengths when the pair met at the same fixture last season but has been outstanding since.

Successive Grade One defeats of reigning Champion Hurdle hero State Man have earnt Brighterdaysahead a tilt at the Tuesday highlight, and her absence from the mares-only race makes it more likely Golden Ace will head there instead.

Scott had previously said the destinations of Brighterdaysahead and Willie Mullins’ Lossiemouth would have a bearing on where Golden Ace lines up at the meeting, and with one of those two now committed to the Champion Hurdle, it is the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle that looks more likely at present.

“She’s in very good form, we’re very happy with her,” said Scott of Golden Ace, who was last seen winning the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton.

“It’s interesting that they have stated Brighterdaysahead is going to run in the Champion Hurdle, that means we would be leaning more towards the mares’ race but we will see where Lossiemouth ends up as well.

“They may leave it to the last moment and that’s pretty much what we’ll do, she’s all on track anyway.

“I’d be perfectly happy with either trip on the sort of ground I think we’ll get, so she could run in either race in that respect.

“She had a small muscle issue which seems to have resolved itself with the help of the physio, so I’d say we’re as near to 100 per cent as you could be.”