Yorkshire Rose Mares' Hurdle Tips: Skelton Runner Looks Rock Solid

A competitive enough mares race takes place up at Town Moor on Saturday, with six lining up for the Yorkshire Rose. Billy Grimshaw has assessed the chances of the full sexter for us and cannot get away from the claims of the market leader...

This race could prove informative for those waiting until the last minute to decide who to back down at Cheltenham in the Cleeve Hurdle, as favourite KATEIRA has formlines tied in with the favourite and a few others at Prestbury Park. She was last seen finishing a smashing fifth in the Long Walk at Ascot behind Crambo, which to my eye at least was her best run yet and a repeat of that level of form would see her a cosy winner now back in mares only company up in Yorkshire.

There is an argument her Aintree win last spring was more impressive, however finishing just three lengths off Crambo - probably Britain's big hope in the Stayers' Hurdle this season - is no mean feat and she certainly wasn't stopping as the line approached, proving to me she has the stamina in droves for this sort of test. Another reason I'm confidently backing her for this graded affair is her main market rival Jetara is not a horse I've warmed to and despite running with some promise last time out after a flop, I don't think even the application of cheekpieces will see her relish this test in the way I anticipate Kateira and a few other rivals doing.

Jessica Harrington's charge is hotly pursued in the market by third favourite Wyenot, who is my idea of the horse who will give Kateira most to think about. She is a smashing young mare for Henry Daly with a good strike rate and her win over C&D last time out is worthy of respect, particularly the fashion in which she stretched clear after jumping the last clearly full of running. There are no real flaws in her, I just think Kateira is a better animal.

Della Casa Lunga will have some supporters at north of 7/1 on the back of an impressive win at Kempton on the back of a wind op recently, and she does look to be improving, however Kateira put her in her place earlier this season and I expect the same result should the two mares be battling with just a few obstacles left to jump. Richard Patrick may try to be a bit more enterprising and try to lead on his charge in the hope of getting the favourite beaten, however with Kateira's proven stamina I reckon that'd play into Harry Skelton's hands.

I wouldn't be in any rush to lay the 20/1 freely available about Pinot Rouge for this race, for all she has plenty to do to match the form of the market leaders. She's a course and distance winner and while she didn't disgrace herself when tried over fences, she looks happier over hurdles and her run last time out at Ayr in a handicap looked like a prep run for a bigger test to me. She clearly likes Doncaster and should there be an underperformance from Kateira she would be right in the mix.

Salsada is in good form this season and won well at Sedgefield last time out but should be outclassed in here and I'd be disappointed if Kateira is not an authoritative winner truth be told. She rates a strong selection.