Cheltenham or Kelso for Kingston Queen
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sun 15 Feb 2026
David Pipe is weighing up whether to take Kingston Queen to the Cheltenham Festival or swerve it in favour of a trip north to Kelso.
The six-year-old made it two wins from three starts over hurdles at Warwick in the rearranged Grade Two Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, leaving Pipe with a decision to make with future plans.
The daughter of former St Leger hero Kingston Hill now has the option of the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival or Kelso’s Herring Queen Series Final Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle on March 21.
Pipe said: “She’s come out of the (Warwick) race fine and it was a nice performance. She’s a talented mare and she’ll probably get further in time. She’s got a good attitude and her bumper form was very strong from last year.
“She may go to the mares’ novice at Cheltenham or she may go to Kelso for the valuable novice hurdle up there. We’ll make a decision closer to the time.
“I don’t think she was at her best when she got beat at Cheltenham (by Old Park Star), she would never have beaten the winner anyway but she’s a good mare.”
Pipe also has a decision to make with Windbeneathmywings ahead of a possible trip to Cheltenham.
The six-year-old was mightily impressive when winning a Listed bumper at Ascot in December 2024 but has not been seen on the racecourse since.
He would need to run over hurdles to be eligible to run at the Festival after a recent rule change.
Pipe said: “Things are going along fine, but as we have to run him before Cheltenham I would say time is very tight. They changed the rules last year, he’s in good form at present but we’re just taking it one day at a time.”
Related posts
Saturday tips: Dave Nevison's best bets at Ascot and Haydock
Five to follow on Saturday at Ascot, Haydock and Gowran
Cheltenham Festival tips: Gary O’Brien & Ruby Walsh’s Lucky 15s
Gary O'Brien Cheltenham Festival Q and A: "I think he wins"
Constitution Hill could be denied Southwell run on Friday
Featured offers
Get £30 in free bets when you bet £5 with Coral
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 get £50 in Free Bets with Boyle Sports
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 get £30 in free bets with BetVictor
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 get £40 in free bets with TalkSportBet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets with Betano
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Copyright 2026 Racing TV - All Rights Reserved.
Please bet responsibly
Copyright 2026. All rights reserved