Mares Hurdle tips 2023

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Mares Hurdle TipsWhen is the Mares Hurdle 2023?

Cheltenham Tuesday 14th March 4.10pm Mares Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo+)

Distance: 2 miles 4 furlongs

Weights – 10st 10lb (4yo), 11st 5lb (5yo +)

The fifth race on day one is the Mares Hurdle, first run in 2008.

Known as the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle until 2011 and the OLBG Mares Hurdle from 2011 – 2019.

It is run on the old course at Cheltenham over a distance of about two miles and four furlongs and during the running they clear nine hurdles.

It is a race where short priced horses generally do well and has been dominated by Willie Mullins over the last eleven years he has won nine of the last eleven renewals, six of them with the magnificent Quevega.

Mares Hurdle Records

Fastest Win: Quevega 2010 ridden by Ruby Walsh trained by Willie Mullins finished in 285.4s – 4 minutes 45.4 seconds

Leading jockey since 1946 (8 wins):

Ruby Walsh – Quevega (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), Vroum Vroum Mag (2016), Benie Des Dieux (2018)

Leading trainer since 1946 (9 wins):

Willie Mullins – Quevega (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), Glens Melody (2015), Vroum Vroum Mag (2016), Benie Des Dieux (2018)

Successful Horse since 1946 (6 wins):

Quevega – 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

Source: Wikipedia

Mares Hurdle Trends and Statistics

12 Year Trends and Statistics 

  • Age – 9 of the last 12 winners were aged between 5 and 7.
  • Sex – Restricted to mares and fillies.
  • Trainer – Willie Mullins has dominated this race in the last 12 years with 8 wins.
  • Horse – The wonderful Quevega won 6 times between 2009 and 2014. No other horse has recorded more than 1 win in the last 12 years. 
  • Country – 8 of the last 12 winners were bred in France, 2 in Ireland and 2 in Great Britain.
  • Colour – All of the last 12 winners were bay.
  • Starting Price (SP) – 8 of the last 12 winners returned a SP of 7/1 or less. 
  • Starting Price Rank – 7 of the last 12 winners started as favourite and all were in the first 4 in the betting.
  • Headgear – 11 of the last 12 winners didnt wear any headgear.
  • Days Since Last Run – 7 of the last 12 winners had run between 11 and 60 days ago. The other 5 had been off the track for at least 301 days.
  • Last Run Form –9 of the last 12 winners had won last time out, all of them finished in the first 3 last time.
  • Official Rating10 of the last 12 winners had an official rating of at least 150.

Who are the Mares Hurdle Leading Contenders?

Winner of the Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival twelve months ago TELMESOMETHINGGIRL can make it back-to-back Festival victories in the last of the day one feature races.

Having ran out an easy winner twelve months ago she didn’t see out three miles at Punchestown on her next start and shaped as if needing the run back there on her reappearance in November although her latest outing at Leopardstown over Christmas was much more like it.

Only third there behind Royal Kahala who is likely to reoppose, she was giving the winner 5lbs and was only beaten just over one length having been short of room at the last obstacle. She ran on well however and was closing at the line so there’s hope that she can overturn the form now that she would be meeting her last time conqueror off level weights in this contest.

ANTE-POST SELECTION: TELMESOMETHINGGIRL

Here's what Keith said ahead of the Mares Hurdle:

CONCERTISTA – Unbeaten since winning the Mares Novices Hurdle at last year's festival.

HONEYSUCKLE – 9 from 9 over hurdles including this race last year.

BENIE DES DIEUX – Won this in 2018, fell in 2019 and finished a half length second last year.

ROKSANA – 2019 winner who could only manage fourth last year.

What are Our Mares Hurdle Tips?

We will update this box with our tips for the Mares Hurdle when they are finalised

With BENIE DES DIEUX now 10 years old and ROKSANA looking like she needs further these days the pair to concestrate on are HONEYSUCKLE and CONCERTISTA, given Willie Mullins excelent record in the race at this stage it is CONCTERISTA for me.

On the day, here's what Keith tipped to our members:

CONCERTISTA 15:40 Cheltenham 11/8 – Ran away with the Dawn Run at last years festival and the evidence of her two runs before Christmas suggests that this race is here for the taking.

How did he do?

CONCERTISTA – held up in mid-division, headway after 7th, mistake and went 2nd 2 out, led before not fluent last, driven flat, headed last strides but couldn't do enough and finished 2nd place.

FRT Tipster Keith’s wrote this for the 2020 Mares Hurdle

This race has one outstanding runner and several that may make the places behind her so it may come as no surprise to you that my selection for the Mares Hurdle is BENIE DES DIEUX who, apart from that fall at the last flight in last year’s race when she was well in command, has a pretty impressive record over hurdles. 

She hacked up at Gowran Park by 22 lengths over 3m in January and never even broke sweat and was eased on the run in. That run made her a short priced favourite for this race but she could instead turn up in the Stayers Hurdle and give Paisley Park a run for the money so if you are dabbling in the ante post market make sure you get non runner no bet. 

How did he do? BENIE DES DIEUX stayed on strongly in the Mares Hurdle but had to settle for second best behind HONEYSUCKLE.

 

Mares Hurdle Results

Close Brothers Mares Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares Hurdle) (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
Distance: 2m4f (4380 yards) Prize (winner): £67524 Dir: Left Handed
Runners: 12    Going: Good To Soft    Class: Class 1 Grade 1    Age Restrictions: 4yo+
Winners Time: 4 mins 45.40s   Avg OR: 143     Median OR: 144.5     Hurdles: 10

No Place Dist Bt Horse Age Weight OR Trainer Jockey (Claim) Odds
5 1st Maries Rock (IRE) 7 11-5 140 Henderson, N J Boinville, Nico 18/1
raced keenly, mid-division on inside, headway 2 out, switched right before last, soon went 2nd, carried right and led flat, stayed on well, well in command towards finish BF IP MIN 1.01 BF IP MAX 34 Owner: Middleham Park Racing XLII
9 2nd 1.75 Queens Brook (IRE) 7 11-5 142 Elliott, Gordon Kennedy, J W 4/1
chased leaders, led 2 out, hung right after last, soon headed, kept on, no impression on winner towards finish BF IP MIN 1.84 BF IP MAX 950 Owner: Bective Stud
7 3rd 1.75 Mrs Milner (IRE) 7 11-5 144 Nolan, Paul Cooper, Bryan J 14/1
held up towards rear, headway when badly hampered and lost momentum 2 out, soon edged left and bumped rival, rallied approaching last, switched left flat, ran on well, went 3rd inside final 75 yards BF IP MIN 3 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: SoftCo
10 4th 1.25 Stormy Ireland (FR) 8 11-5 150 Mullins, W P Townend, P 7/2 (Fav)
led, headed after 3rd, stayed handy, chasing leaders 2 out, still pressing leaders flat, no impression and lost 3rd inside final 75 yards BF IP MIN 3 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: FB Racing Club
2 5th 1.75 Echoes In Rain (FR) 6 11-5 150 Mullins, W P Mullins, Mr P W 7/1
held up in rear, raced keenly, some headway when not fluent and slightly hampered 2 out, lost place and soon bumped, switched right before last and closed, unable to make any impression, kept on BF IP MIN 4.5 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Barnane Stud
3 6th 1.5 Heaven Help Us (IRE) 8 11-5 147 Hennessy, Paul Mullins, D E 22/1
prominent, not fluent 3rd, led 3 out, headed 2 out, mistake last, weakened inside final 100 yards BF IP MIN 18 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Mr J Turner
6 7th 1.25 Martello Sky 6 11-5 143 Wadham, Mrs L Frost, Bryony 16/1
mid-division on outside, headway 5th, not fluent next, every chance when mistake 3 out, fading into 7th last, no extra BF IP MIN 20 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: The Sky Partnership
8 8th NK Nada To Prada 7 11-5 126 Scudamore, M J Patrick, Richard 300/1
towards rear, last after 4th, outpaced 6th, slightly hampered 2 out, kept on final 150 yards, never involved BF IP MIN 380 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Mrs Lynne MacLennan
1 9th 17 Burning Victory (FR) 6 11-5 145 Mullins, W P OKeeffe, Sean F 6/1
chased leaders, lost place after 6th, outpaced when hampered 2 out, well beaten after BF IP MIN 7.4 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Mrs Audrey Turley
12 10th 2.75 Western Victory (IRE) 9 11-5 137 Lavelle, Miss E C Bellamy, Tom 200/1
raced freely, prominent, led after 3rd, headed 3 out, weakened quickly BF IP MIN 160 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Swanbridge Bloodstock Limited
11 BD Telmesomethinggirl (IRE) 7 11-5 145 Bromhead, Henry De Blackmore, Rachael 4/1
held up in rear, headway on outside 3 out, tracking leaders going ok when brought down 2 out BF IP MIN 3.5 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Mr K Alexander
4 F Indefatigable (IRE) 9 11-5 146 Webber, P R Dingle, Rex 40/1
mid-division, headway on outside 6th, challenging going ok when fell 2 out BF IP MIN 32 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Mr Philip Rocher

Close Brothers Mares Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares Hurdle) (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
Distance: 2m4f (4380 yards) Prize (winner): £50643 Dir: Left Handed
Runners: 10    Going: Soft    Class: Class 1 Grade 1    Age Restrictions: 4yo+
Winners Time: 4 mins 56.51s   Avg OR: 146     Median OR: 147.5

No Place Dist Bt Horse Age Weight Headgear OR Trainer Jockey (Claim) Odds BF BFP
1 1st Black Tears 7 11-5 CkPc 148 Foster, Mrs Denise Kennedy, J W 11/1
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, not much room and switched left after 2 out, reached at last and went 2nd, driven and stayed on well flat, led last strides
2 2nd HD Concertista (FR) 7 11-5 153 Mullins, W P Townend, P 10/11 (Fav)
held up in mid-division, headway after 7th, mistake and went 2nd 2 out, led before not fluent last, driven flat, headed last strides
10 3rd 2.75 Roksana (IRE) 9 11-5 153 Skelton, Daniel Skelton, Harry 3/1
chased leaders, not fluent 4th or 6th, went 2nd 7th, led before 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, 3rd and unable to quicken flat, kept on
7 4th 1.75 Indefatigable (IRE) 8 11-5 WS 149 Webber, P R Dingle, Rex 33/1
chased leaders, slow 7th, improved to hold every chance 2 out, 4th and held last, kept on
9 5th 7 My Sister Sarah (IRE) 7 11-5 CkPc WS 144 Mullins, W P Cooper, Bryan J 40/1
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, stumbled slightly after 7th, closed on outside after 3 out, 5th and not pace of leaders when switched left before last, well held flat
5 6th 3.25 Floressa (FR) 6 11-5 143 Henderson, N J Boinville, Nico 33/1
led until 1st, led next, headed before 5th, lost 2nd 7th, losing place when short of room after 2 out, well beaten after
8 7th 6.5 Minella Melody (IRE) 7 11-5 143 Bromhead, Henry De Blackmore, Rachael 12/1
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, outpaced after next, soon weakened
6 8th 0.5 Great White Shark (FR) 7 11-5 147 Mullins, W P Mullins, D E 20/1
raced keenly, led 1st, headed next, with leader, led before 5th, hit next, headed approaching 3 out, weakened after next
3 9th 7 Dame De Compagnie (FR) 8 11-5 Hood 148 Henderson, N J Coleman, A 12/1
held up in mid-division on inside, not fluent 3rd, outpaced 3 out, well beaten from 2 out
11 10th 5.5 Whitehotchillifili (IRE) 7 11-5 136 Fry, Harry Bowen, Sean P 200/1
held up in rear, not fluent 1st, outpaced after 7th, jumped left and behind 3 out

Non Runners  Dolcita (FR)

Close Brothers Mares Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares Hurdle)
Distance: 2m4f (4380 yards) Prize (winner): £67524 Dirrection: Left Handed
Runners: 9    Going: Soft    Class: Class 1 Grade 1    Age Restrictions: 4yo+
Winners Time: 5 mins 8.73s   Avg OR: 147     Median OR: 151  

No Place Dist Bt Horse Age OR Trainer Jockey (Claim) Odds BF BFP
6 1st Honeysuckle 6 158 Bromhead, Henry De Blackmore, Rachael 9/4 3.60 1.44
always prominent, shaken up to lead on inside turning in, soon ridden, big jump last, stayed under pressure flat, held on gamely BF IP MIN 1.01 BF IP MAX 9.2
1 2nd 0.5 Benie Des Dieux (FR) 9 162 Mullins, W P Townend, P 4/6 (Fav) 1.71 1.25
tracked leaders, switched outside 2 out, soon poised to challenge, every chance last, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, always just held BF IP MIN 1.2 BF IP MAX 1000
5 3rd 6.5 Elfile (FR) 6 151 Mullins, W P Mullins, D E 16/1 30.89 2.90
led to 2nd, remained prominent, driven and lost place after 2 out, soon outpaced, went 3rd before last, kept on, no chance with front pair BF IP MIN 12 BF IP MAX 1000
9 4th 4.75 Roksana (IRE) 8 152 Skelton, Daniel Skelton, Harry 12/1 44.00 2.76
held up mid-division, tracked leaders before 2 out, outpaced turning in, soon ridden, kept on same pace in 4th from last, never on terms BF IP MIN 27 BF IP MAX 1000
10 5th 9.5 Stormy Ireland (FR) 6 153 Mullins, W P Power, R M 7/1 14.50 2.20
led 2nd, joined before 5th, driven and headed turning in, no impression when lost place before last, weakened flat BF IP MIN 7.2 BF IP MAX 1000
2 6th NK Cap Soleil (FR) 7 130 OBrien, Fergal Brennan, P J 66/1 410.00 16.00
held up in last pair, outpaced before 2 out, never able to challenge, weakened before last BF IP MIN 400 BF IP MAX 1000
7 7th 8.5 Lady Buttons 10 150 Kirby, P A Dowson, Thomas 20/1 113.23 4.30
tracked leaders, driven after 3 out, lost place when ridden after next, weakened before last BF IP MIN 55 BF IP MAX 1000
8 8th 5 Popong (IRE) 6 134 Bromhead, Henry De Coleman, A 66/1 296.52 16.50
held up mid-division, lost place approaching 2 out, soon behind, weakened before last BF IP MIN 190 BF IP MAX 1000
4 9th 43 Desaray Girl (FR) 5 133 Kirby, P A Twiston-Davies, Sam 100/1 1000.00 44.24
went left 1st, held up in last pair, driven before 3 out, lost touch before next, tailed off BF IP MIN 980 BF IP MAX 1000

Non Runners  Crossgalesfamegame (IRE)

OLBG Mares Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares Hurdle)
Distance: 2m4f (4380 yards) Prize (winner): £70563 Dir: Left Handed
Runners: 14    Going: Soft    Class: Class 1 Grade 1    Age Restrictions: 4yo+
Winners Time: 5 mins 0.26s   Avg OR: 142     Median OR: 142 

Non Runners  Mias Storm (IRE)

No Place Dist Bt Horse Age OR Trainer Jockey (Claim) Odds BF BFP
13 1st Roksana (IRE) 7 142 Skelton, Daniel Skelton, Harry 10/1 12.9 2.62
in touch, close up on outside 2 out, chased leader turning in, soon ridden, 3 lengths down and looked held when left in lead last, flashed tail and hung right across track flat, wandered towards finish, kept on BF IP MIN 1.01 BF IP MAX 36
15 2nd 2.25 Stormy Ireland (FR) 5 148 Mullins, W P Townend, P 7/1 8.8 3.05
led, headed 2 out, outpaced in 4th turning in, left 3rd at last, ridden and stayed on to chase winner flat, held towards finish BF IP MIN 2.08 BF IP MAX 1000
6 3rd 2 Good Thyne Tara 9 150 Mullins, W P Blackmore, Rachael 25/1 40 8
tracked leader, effort after 2 out, soon ridden, one pace in 3rd when left 2nd and hampered last, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair flat BF IP MIN 7 BF IP MAX 890
9 4th 12 Lady Buttons 9 145 Kirby, P A Dowson, Thomas 12/1 17.5 3.43
held up towards rear, not fluent 4 out, headway under pressure after next, ridden after 2 out, well held when left 4th at last, never pace to trouble leaders BF IP MIN 15 BF IP MAX 1000
14 5th 2.5 Slowmotion (FR) 7 140 OBrien, Joseph Patrick Geraghty, B J 50/1 82.96 12.89
tracked leaders, driven after 4 out, ridden and lost place before next, behind 2 out, stayed on past beaten horses before last, never a threat BF IP MIN 55 BF IP MAX 1000
5 6th 2.75 Elimay (FR) 5 139 Mullins, W P Walsh, M P 16/1 22 5.1
mid-division on inside, outpaced before 2 out, soon ridden and beaten BF IP MIN 13 BF IP MAX 1000
3 7th HD Cap Soleil (FR) 6 134 OBrien, Fergal Brennan, P J 20/1 29.91 5.29
held up in rear, outpaced before 2 out, never involved BF IP MIN 26 BF IP MAX 1000
7 8th 3.5 Jester Jet 9 146 Lacey, T Dunne, R T 25/1 35.35 6.23
tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, weakened between last 2 BF IP MIN 20 BF IP MAX 1000
12 9th 8 Momella (IRE) 7 142 Fry, Harry Fehily, Noel 20/1 34 6.6
held up mid-division, headway and in touch 6th, outpaced before 3 out, never on terms, weakened after next BF IP MIN 21 BF IP MAX 1000
1 10th 13 Alletrix (IRE) 6 137 Harrington, Mrs John Power, R M 50/1 140 17.7
held up, always behind, weakened 2 out BF IP MIN 80 BF IP MAX 1000
2 F Benie Des Dieux (FR) 8 151 Mullins, W P Walsh, R 10/11 (Fav) 2.08 1.47
tracked leaders, led going well 2 out, 3 lengths clear and looked in command when fell last BF IP MIN 1.03 BF IP MAX 1000
4 F Champayne Lady (IRE) 7 129 Fleming, A Meyler, D 100/1 288.49 24.26
held up towards rear, fell 4th BF IP MIN 170 BF IP MAX 1000
8 PU Lackaneen Leader (IRE) 7 138 Elliott, Gordon Russell, D N 50/1 100 15.81
mid-division, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, behind when pulled up before last BF IP MIN 55 BF IP MAX 1000
10 PU Limini (IRE) 8 150 Mullins, W P Mullins, David 9/1 12.5 2.96
mistake 1st, held up, always behind, weakened 2 out, pulled up before last BF IP MIN 11 BF IP MAX 1000
Non Runners – Mias Storm (IRE)

 

Mares Hurdle Previous Winners

Date Going Runners Winner Stallion Age Jockey (Clm) Trainer Odds Weight OR Days
Good To Soft 12 7 18/1 11-5 140 31d
Soft 10 7 11/1 11-5 148 15d
Soft 9 6 9/4 11-5 158 38d
Soft 14 7 10/1 11-5 142 38d
Heavy 9 7 9/2 11-5 147 31d
Good To Soft 17 5 7/2 11-5 153 20d
Good To Soft 19 7 4/6 11-5 154 52d
Good To Soft 15 7 6/1 11-5 150 31d
Good To Soft 16 10 8/11 11-5 167 320d
Soft 19 9 8/11 11-5 163 320d
Good 19 8 4/7 11-5 158 313d
Good 14 7 5/6 11-5 158 327d
Good 17 6 6/4 11-5 156 319d
Good To Soft 21 5 2/1 11-3 155 20d
Good To Soft 13 5 20/1 11-0 129 27d

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Cheltenham Festival Tuesday

Race Schedule

START TIMES RACE DISTANCE TYPE
13:30 The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race 2m abt ½f Hurdle
14:10 The Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase abt 2m Chase
14:50 The Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase 3m abt 1f Chase
15:30 The Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy
(feature race)
2m abt ½f Hurdle
16:10 The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle Race 2m abt 4f Hurdle
16:50 The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race (Grade 3) 2m abt 4½f Chase
17:30 The National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Amateur Riders’ Novices’ Steeple Chase) (Grade 2) 3m abt 6f Chase

 

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