Elimay is expected to face a tough task as she kicks off her Cheltenham Festival preparations with a hat-trick bid in Saturday’s BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Mares Chase at Naas.

Dolcita finished with a flourish to claim top honours in the T.A. Morris Memorial Irish EBF Mares Chase at Clonmel.

Elimay gave trainer Willie Mullins his 10th winner at this year’s Cheltenham Festival to complete a fantastic five-timer on the day in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase.

Bookmakers head into the final leg of the Cheltenham Festival in good spirits after hanging on to their advantage over the week on St Patrick’s Day.