Jubilee Alpha sets up Cheltenham bid with Windsor victory

There are bigger things in store for Jubilee Alpha after winning the Fitzdares Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Windsor.

Paul Nicholls’ six-year-old came into the race carrying a penalty after a Listed win last time out and was ridden by Harry Cobden as the 8-13 favourite.

The soft ground was perhaps not to her liking but she was still able to come to the fore, securing a length-and-a-quarter victory from Emma Lavelle’s Bluey to bring the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival into the picture.

“She wouldn’t be in love with that ground, I thought it was a good performance in the end,” Cobden said.

“She had a hefty penalty for winning that Listed race at Taunton, I loved the way she went through the race and Paul was convinced he can have her a lot better as he only had three weeks to get here today.

“That race at Cheltenham is probably made for her, isn’t it?”

Nicholls told Sky Sports Racing: “She’s straightforward, she jumps and she travels and she stays on.

“There’s no reason to be negative riding her, if they go fast then the faster the better. She should stay on very strongly up the hill (at Cheltenham) which will suit her nicely.

“I know I can get her better for Cheltenham than today because we’ve only had three weeks from Taunton and we’ve got plenty of time to get her really right for the big day.”