WARREN Greatrex has a very talented individual on his hands in La Bague Au Roi and saw the 8/11 favourite draw well clear in the Grade 2 olbg.com Mares’ Hurdle over very nearly three miles.

Disappointingly, there were only five runners. Midnight Tune lead to the eighth but was soon a spent force as La Bague Au Roi brushed by her and charted a wide course for Noel Fehily.

Sean Bowen had much the same idea on Sainte Ladylime and made laboured headway to be in with a faint chance two from home.

La Bague Au Roi had plenty left and went well clear to score by 16 lengths, with the others well beaten.

Greatrex has never made any secret of his feelings for the winner. Successful in her last four races and with a career record of 10 out of 13, that is hardly surprising.

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However, if the Stayers’ Hurdle is the target, there could hardly be a bigger contrast with last week’s race – the opposite way round, probably on a very different surface, with the boys in opposition in a much bigger field.

Despite her splendid record, La Bague Au Roi was beaten at both Cheltenham and Aintree last year and some bookmakers are still offering 20/1 about her chance in the Stayers’. The trainer could send her straight to the festival after this victory.