THE last mare who Gordon Elliott saddled to win the Grade 3 Racing TV Quevega Mares Hurdle, Black Tears, went on to strike next time at the Cheltenham Festival, and connections of high-class talent Queens Brook will be hoping for more of the same after she lowered the colours of long-absent Festival hopeful Brandy Love.

There appeared to be a fair deal of market confidence behind the Bective Stud-owned winner, sent off 11/8 favourite to take advantage of a 9lb pull at the weights with Grade 1 winner Brandy Love (easy to back at 6/4 on her return from a 311-day layoff).