'This was the plan ever since we got such a nice mark' - key trainer insight for a fascinating Greatwood Hurdle

The consensus is that this year’s Greatwood is well up to standard and fiercely competitive, yet unbeaten mare Dysart Enos is still likely to start at under 3-1.

The Fergal O'Brien-trained mare hasn’t put a foot wrong in six starts and first served notice of her high-level talent when romping home in the Grade 2 mares' bumper at Aintree in April 2023.

She took beautifully to hurdles last season, winning at Huntingdon, Cheltenham and Doncaster, and was given an official mark of 131.

Taking into account the manner of those wins plus Dysart Enos's sky-high potential, it is no surprise O’Brien has wrapped her in cotton wool and waited for this £100,000 prize off what appears to be a highly favourable mark.

Dyart Enos: mark of 131 could vastly underestimate this smart mareCredit: Alan Crowhurst

“This was the plan ever since we got such a nice mark and we want to exploit it,” O’Brien said. “If we could pull it off on the back of a novice run and first time back, it would be a great achievement. She’s done loads of work and we’re very happy with her. We won’t have any excuses. It’s a great starting point, off a nice mark, and we’ll go from there.”

Dysart Enos has winning form on good and soft ground, and O'Brien added: "I think she's pretty versatile in terms of ground and that's why it felt fine planning for this race so far ahead.

"It's a huge handicap, a massive prize and a very prestigious race."

Ground and weather

The ground is good, good to soft in places and selective watering took place after racing on Saturday to maintain that ground for Sunday's action.

What they say

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Under Control
She's in excellent shape. This looks a tall order because we are giving weight to some young, progressive horses but she is progressive herself and still a young mare. She ran a cracking race at Galway and will have come on for that.

Olly Murphy, trainer of Go Dante
I’m looking forward to running him. He's been trained for the race, although I wish the ground was a little bit slower. Dysart Enos and Burdett Road look as though they have nice marks but they have no experience of big-field handicaps, albeit they could be thrown in.

James Owen, trainer of Burdett Road
His last two runs for us on the Flat were probably the best of his career. He ran very well at Ascot behind some of the best stayers. I know it’s a tough ask in a competitive handicap like this on his fourth run over hurdles, but he's potentially quite well handicapped on his Flat form. He’s coming into the race fit from the Flat and hopefully with a good bit up our sleeve. He’s only four, he’s exciting, and hopefully he can keep progressing.

Burdett Road: a winner at this meeting last seasonCredit: John Grossick

Ben Pauling, trainer of Fiercely Proud
He's not had the best preparation, having got loose at Cheltenham and then fallen at Ascot, but he's schooled well since and hopefully he can get round this time. He has a good each-way shout.

Harry Derham, trainer of Teddy Blue
He’s a new horse to us. He seems in good form and will enjoy the ground drying out. It looks a very tough Greatwood and we’ll be delighted if he runs into a place.

Nicky Richards, trainer of Florida Dreams
I’m hoping for a bit of rain to keep the dust down. We’re putting cheekpieces on for the first time. I imagine it'll be an end-to-end gallop and they might help him concentrate and sharpen him up. He schooled on Friday morning and pleased us. He’s ready to rumble at Cheltenham.

Gary Moore, joint-trainer of Royal Way
It’s got to be good to soft for me to run him. He’s a very nice horse but does want soft ground. If he doesn’t run he’ll go to Newbury or Ascot.
Reporting by Richard Birch

Read our Sunday previews:

The Dysart Enos hype is understandable - but the Greatwood value lies with this runner in top form

1.45 Cheltenham: 'We know he likes Cheltenham' - Peaky Boy and Leader In The Park clash in race with good history 

2.30 Navan: 'Jack was very keen to ride him' - American Mike leads Gordon Elliott's 11-strong Troytown team 

2.35 Auteuil: Il Est Francais tackles France's King George as star's Kempton claims are tested 

2.55 Cheltenham: 'He is the one to back today' - expert analysis and trainer quotes for competitive handicap chase 

3.05 Navan: Cheltenham Festival aces Slade Steel and Better Days Ahead clash in Navan beginners' chase 

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