Warren Greatrex has nominated La Bague Au Roi as his best chance of a winner at the Cheltenham Festival.
The Lambourn handler took several of his team for next week to a rain-sodden Newbury on Sunday morning, with the Trull House Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle entrant particularly pleasing him as she went through her paces with Sidney Banks winner Keeper Hill.
A decision on the latter's participation in the Neptune Novices' Hurdle will not be made until Friday, when the trainer meets with owner Max McNeil.
"It all went very well," said Greatrex.
"There were no problems with the horses, only the weather - it was a filthy morning.
"We won't decide about Keeper Hill until Friday as his owner is busy this week and that's the first time we can talk about it.
"We took half a dozen of the Cheltenham horses. La Bague Au Roi actually worked with Keeper Hill and while I've always thought she didn't want it soft, she went through it very nicely.
"I'd purposefully given her a mid-winter break. She hasn't run since November, but she appears to have strengthened up for her time off.
"Western Ryder (Bumper) didn't need to work. He'll do his last piece at home, but he looks to have improved again since his last race.
"I think the hurly-burly of the race and the track will suit him.
"Cole Harden also went, but sloshing through mud has never really been his thing. In saying that, he seemed to really enjoy it and he came back very fresh.
"I'd say La Bague Au Roi is my best chance going there as everything we have asked her to do she has done easily. You just wouldn't know how good she might be yet.
"Fingers crossed they all get there."
