BRIAN ELLISON is preparing Smart Talk for a tilt at the new Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle on the Thursday of the Cheltenham Festival after the six-year-old claimed Saturday’s Grade Two OLBG.com Mares’ Hurdle at Doncaster.

Stepped up in grade after winning at Listed level at Haydock in her previous run, Smart Talk comfortably eclipsed the Willie Mullins-trained favourite, Morning Run, to thrust herself into the heart of the Festival picture.

Having tracked Morning Run for the majority of the two-mile encounter, Smart Talks’ chances looked to have disappeared when she made a bad mistake three out.

But she rallied after the final hurdle and stayed on well in stamina-sapping conditions to score by three-and-a-quarter lengths from Lily Waugh.

Smart Talk has now won four of her seven starts, and while she could feature in the 2m4f OLBG Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, she is a best-priced 10-1 for the new mares’ novices’ hurdle which looks her best chance of success.

“She’s a lovely big mare and she’s never stopped improving all year,” said Ellison, who is based in Malton. “She goes on any ground, and if she hadn’t made that mistake at the third last she would have probably won a lot easier.

“She’ll go to Cheltenham now but whether we go for the two mile Novice or the 2m4f OLBG Mares´ Hurdle, I don’t know. I’ll have a word with Paddy. She is fast enough for two (miles). My gut feeling is to go for the Novice though.”

Ellison will saddle another of his Cheltenham contenders this weekend when Definitly Red looks to build on his impressive second place behind Black Hercules as he tackles the respected Towton Novices’ Chase at Wetherby.

“When he won his chasing debut at Catterick he won easy, but it wasn’t testing enough, whereas at Warwick you have to jump and he was up against a very, very good horse,” said Ellison. “He’s improved again, so at the moment the plan is to go to Wetherby.”

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NEWCASTLE RACECOURSE are confident the recent stormy weather will not affect this afternoon’s card.

Heavy winds and squally showers have been buffeting the Gosforth Park venue, but clerk of the course, James Armstrong, tweeted yesterday: “Strong winds persist, but drying any showers. Going remains heavy, soft in places. Tacky ground, but wind to drop by Wednesday.”

Today’s six-race card starts at 1.30pm, with the final race scheduled for 4.20pm. The feature race is the Class Three Northridge Novices’ Handicap Chase, with Lucinda Russell’s Present Flight looking to hold a good chance.