'She just wants to win' - why this 14-1 shot could upset the Irish at Cheltenham

Lucy Wadham knows all about how hard it is to wrest the Mares' Hurdle crown from Irish hands – in particular the grip of Willie Mullins – having saddled star hurdler United in 2009, only to run into a young star named Quevega.

But Martello Sky, whose price ranges between 10-1 and 14-1 for the race that follows the Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, has done nothing but improve in four runs for Wadham this season.

And the trainer believes her star, who defeated Indefatigable at Cheltenham in December before dispatching some smart rivals at Sandown despite not entirely enjoying the heavy ground, has a live each-way chance in the Close Brothers-backed Grade 1 on Tuesday.

United was one of the most talented hurdling mares of her generation but had the misfortune to run into Quevega at CheltenhamCredit: Edward Whitaker

"We're really looking forward to it and she seems in great form," said Wadham. "We know she likes the track, so that's all positive. We also know the competition is going to be pretty tough, but she's earned a crack at it."

With Concertista likely to remain over fences at the festival, the favourite is Telmesomethinggirl, who bounded up the hill as impressively as any winner at last season's festival in the Parnell Properties-sponsored novice hurdle for mares.

Martello Sky was eighth that day, but Wadham feels it was a better performance than the bare result suggests.

"She did nearly fall at the second hurdle and went right down on her nose," said Wadham. "Bryony [Frost] had to give her time to get back on an even keel, but she did stay on really strongly having looked like she was going to be last coming down the hill.

Martello Sky and Aidan Coleman take the final flight at SandownCredit: Edward Whitaker

"It was quite a good run for a mare who lacked hurdling experience."

That was the daughter of Martaline's third start over hurdles, having gained plenty of experience in bumpers, and Wadham is convinced that her jumping has since become a significant asset.

"That seems to have come together with racing this season and she's much stronger in the jumping department," she said.

"I think she's versatile in terms of going. I hate running on fast ground and if it did come up heavy that wouldn't be ideal. But she's won on every type of ground and just wants to win, that's the bottom line."

Martello Sky would be just the third British-trained winner of the Mares' Hurdle, following on from the Donald McCain-trained Whiteoak in the inaugural running and Roksana's success for Dan Skelton in 2019, the year that Benie Des Dieux capsized at the last.

Lucy Wadham: 'We just hope she runs her race on the day and, win, lose or draw, that's all you can ask'

However, Wadham feels that this year's race has a more open feel to it, exemplified by the likely lack of an odds-on favourite for only the second time since 2010.

She said: "I think that's right [that it's an open year]. You have to say we're going with a live each-way chance and we're very excited.

"We just hope she runs her race on the day and, win, lose or draw, that's all you can ask."

Mares' Hurdle

Sky Bet: 3 Telmesomethinggirl, 4 Concertista, 5 Royal Kahala, 6 Queens Brook, Stormy Ireland, Burning Victory, Echoes In Rain, 9 Mrs Milner, 10 bar

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