'High-class mare' Surrey Belle bids to complete hat-trick in red-hot £100,000 contest

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Adrian Keatley has Flat targets on his mind with Surrey Belle but hopes she can first consolidate her opening season hurdling with success in the £100,000 mares' final.

Keatley purchased the five-year-old out of Hughie Morrison's yard for 70,000gns in October and she has quickly made an impact over obstacles, finishing placed at Catterick and Sedgefield before comfortable victories at Uttoxeter and Newcastle.

"She's in good form," the trainer said. "We've been delighted with all of her performances over hurdles so hopefully top weight is no problem to her and she can go there and do the business again.

"Everybody is saying how good the racing in Ireland is compared to Britain, but there was a maiden hurdle winner, Drusilla, who beat one of Willie Mullins' before the race at Newcastle, and we gave her 19lb and she was in third, beaten about 60 lengths."

Surrey Belle will have to defy top weight against some smart mares on Saturday, but Keatley is optimistic she has more improvement to come. His confidence can be bolstered by the fact her sire, Golden Horn, is having an exciting time at the moment following Cheltenham Festival success with Golden Ace and Poniros.

"All she could do was beat what was put in front of her," he said. "She's a high-class mare and I think there's plenty more to come from her on the Flat, too. 

"I find horses we buy off the Flat harden up after some hurdling. Golden Horn is on fire in the jumps scene as well."

What they say

AJ O'Neill, joint-trainer of Rula Bula
She's come close in a couple of Listed races now, both last year and this. We're very happy with her and she's a lovely filly. It would be great if we could have some luck for her owners.

Evan Williams, trainer of Tour Ovalie
She's had a wonderful season, but I wish the handicapper would have put her up more for winning at Taunton and not for trying to support the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, when she split the field. I think she's one of the classiest mares in the race, everything will suit her and she can go close so I hope the handicapper is right.

Ben Clarke, trainer of Game Colours
She's been a really good mare and has just taken a bit of time. We think she's pretty well handicapped off her mark and she'll act on the ground as she's got plenty of speed.

Harry Derham and Fergal O'Brien: saddle leading contenders

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Northern Air and Leloopa
They're in good form and I'm looking forward to running both of them. Northern Air won her last race and this has been the plan for a while. Liam Harrison has won on her and knows her well. Leloopa has been in good form and Tom Broughton has won on her too. It's a great pot.

Harry Derham, trainer of Barrabool
We've had this race in mind for a while and she should appreciate the better ground.

Ewan Whillans, trainer of Lizzie Luna
It's great prize-money so we have to take our chances. The track will be fine and we're taking the hood off her now as we're dropping back to two miles. It's a hard race and if she finished in the first four we'd be over the moon. She's improved from each run and is handicapped to go well.

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