White Noise is likely to return to Cheltenham next month in an attempt to follow up her popular win in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival.

Trained by Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls, the John Perriss-owned six-year-old made most of the running to win at 40-1 under Tom Bellamy.

“It was a great result and it’s great for an owner like John Perriss for all he’s put into the sport, he’s been with me a long time,” Bailey told Sky Sports Racing.

“This time last year I had a chat with John to say his home-breds were perhaps not quite living up to expectations and perhaps he might think about investing a little bit – which is never the easiest conversation.

“Ed Bailey (agent) had seen the mare in Ireland and suggested he ought to do something about it and it went from there.

“I think Sean Doyle, who had her in Ireland, was surprised when she won first time out this season having had a run at the end of last season, as he thought she was slow and wouldn’t win over two miles but I’m not complaining about that!

“Cheltenham didn’t raise its head until well after Warwick, I was trying to persuade John to go to Kelso this weekend for the same money as Cheltenham, as I thought she might finish fourth or fifth, but as he rightly said he might only have a Cheltenham horse once in his life and it was an opportunity we couldn’t refuse.

“Sean Doyle actually told me at the sales not to be scared of going to Cheltenham as the Irish weren’t as strong as in previous years, but then he maybe wanted a Cheltenham winner too!

“We were lucky they weren’t let go first time, as Tom was initially on the outside which was not the place to be, but then he got an absolute flyer in the middle and was able to make it which is what we wanted, so a big ‘thank you’ to Tom for that.

“There’s a mares’ Listed novice hurdle at Cheltenham in April and that is probably where she’ll go next.”