by European correspondent

Quevega is seeking a fifth win in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle in her final prep before the prestigious World Hurdle in March. The Willie Mullins-trained mare is 5-1 in the William Hills future book and will take some beating in the March feature event.

Mullins is doing his best Bob Baffert impression with no less than five other possible contenders for the big race: Back In Focus, Fiveforthree, leading Grand National contender Prince De Beauchene, So Young and Zaidpour. The trainer has not won this prestigious race before.

The Irish contingent is further bolstered by the presence of Dermot Weld’s Monksland, who is 6-1 in the futures. He jumped to the forefront of the betting after winning over the daunting distance of three miles late last year.  Recent Gowran Park winner Bog Warrior is 10-1 in the betting and must be considered.

There has been a lot of positive talk about Peddlers Cross who earned a start in the  Bet on the World Hurdle with William Hill Online after passing his test in the Howies Restaurants Edinburgh Hurdle at Musselburgh. Second in the 2011 World Hurdle, Peddlers Cross appears to be sitting on a big effort. He is 12-1 in the futures.

Paul Nicholls has several possibilities in his barn, from Tidal Bay, Aaim To Prosper, Celestial Halo, Prospect Wells to Chepstow Grade 2 winner Wonderful Charm.

Reve De Sivola, 9-2 in the futures, was a game winner from Oscar Whisky in last month’s Cleeve Hurdle, a traditional prep race for the World Hurdle, and the pair are top choices in the market for the World Hurdle.
Peddlers Cross, who did not impress on his latest start, a win at Musselburgh, is still expected for the Hurdle. Other entries are Grands Crus, Trustan Times and the novice Whispering Gallery. All three of those runners are 20-1 or higher in the futures in Europe.