Mariah carries the hopes of Fahy

Pat Fahy believes Mariah Rollins can “run a big race” in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The County Carlow trainer believes the seven-year-old mare will be “spot-on” for the Grade Three handicap chase following two warm-up runs this autumn.

After finishing seventh on the Flat at Thurles in September, last season’s Arkle Trophy sixth was third in the Munster National at Limerick over three miles a month ago.

“She’s been very good, she got out of that race okay and has been brilliant since,” Fahy told At The Races.

“She ran very well for a long way at Limerick but she had a bit of a blow at the top of the hill but I was delighted with the way she stayed.

“We never put any pressure on her to have her fully wound up for the Munster National.

“She’ll just improve with every run and I think she’s spot-on for Saturday.

“With Graham Lee on board I think we have a magnificent chance of running a big race.”

Mariah Rollins has just 10st 3lb to carry on Saturday and is a best-priced 20-1 to win the Cheltenham feature.