‘Great chance’ for Rose but inexperience a worry

AMARETTO ROSE’S main obstacle ahead of the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle could be her lack of match practice, according to handler Nicky Henderson.

Nobody knows more about winning at the Cheltenham Festival than the master of Seven Barrows, who has 31 victories to his name, and is the third most prolific winner in the history of the meeting.

His mare is unbeaten in her two starts over hurdles at Ascot and Haydock, but has barely been tested with her cumulative winning distance being some 31 lengths. She is also in receipt of a 7lb mares’ allowance.