Mares Hurdle tips 2021
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View Keith's tips for the Mares Hurdle
When is the Mares Hurdle 2021?
Cheltenham Tuesday 16th 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
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 9 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 – 9 of the last 12 winners were bred in France, 2 in Ireland and 1 in Great Britain.
- Colour – All of the last 12 winners were bay..
- Starting Price (SP) – 9 of the last 12 winners returned a SP of 7/2 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 – None of the last 12 winners wore any headgear
- Days Since Last Run – 7 of the last 12 winners had run between 20 and 52 days ago. The other 5 had been off the track for at least 313 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 Rating – 10 of the last 12 winners had an official rating of at least 150.
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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 Keith’s Mares Hurdle Tips?
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): £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) | ||||||||||
| Date | Going | Runners | Winner | Stallion | Age | Jockey (Clm) | Trainer | Odds | Weight | OR | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16.03.2021 | Soft | 10 | Black Tears | Jeremy (USA) | 7 | Kennedy, J W | Foster, Mrs Denise | 11/1 | 11-5 | 148 | 15d |
| 10.03.2020 | Soft | 9 | Honeysuckle | Sulamani (IRE) | 6 | Blackmore, Rachael | Bromhead, Henry De | 9/4 | 11-5 | 158 | 38d |
| 12.03.2019 | Soft | 14 | Roksana (IRE) | Dubai Destination (USA) | 7 | Skelton, Harry | Skelton, Daniel | 10/1 | 11-5 | 142 | 38d |
| 13.03.2018 | Heavy | 9 | Benie Des Dieux (FR) | Great Pretender (IRE) | 7 | Walsh, R | Mullins, W P | 9/2 | 11-5 | 147 | 31d |
| 14.03.2017 | Good To Soft | 17 | Apples Jade (FR) | Saddler Maker (IRE) | 5 | Cooper, Bryan J | Elliott, Gordon | 7/2 | 11-5 | 153 | 20d |
| 15.03.2016 | Good To Soft | 19 | Vroum Vroum Mag (FR) | Voix Du Nord (FR) | 7 | Walsh, R | Mullins, W P | 4/6 | 11-5 | 154 | 52d |
| 10.03.2015 | Good To Soft | 15 | Glens Melody (IRE) | Kings Theatre (IRE) | 7 | Townend, P | Mullins, W P | 6/1 | 11-5 | 150 | 31d |
| 11.03.2014 | Good To Soft | 16 | Quevega (FR) | Robin Des Champs (FR) | 10 | Walsh, R | Mullins, W P | 8/11 | 11-5 | 167 | 320d |
| 12.03.2013 | Soft | 19 | Quevega (FR) | Robin Des Champs (FR) | 9 | Walsh, R | Mullins, W P | 8/11 | 11-5 | 163 | 320d |
| 13.03.2012 | Good | 19 | Quevega (FR) | Robin Des Champs (FR) | 8 | Walsh, R | Mullins, W P | 4/7 | 11-5 | 158 | 313d |
| 15.03.2011 | Good | 14 | Quevega (FR) | Robin Des Champs (FR) | 7 | Walsh, R | Mullins, W P | 5/6 | 11-5 | 158 | 327d |
| 16.03.2010 | Good | 17 | Quevega (FR) | Robin Des Champs (FR) | 6 | Walsh, R | Mullins, W P | 6/4 | 11-5 | 156 | 319d |
| 10.03.2009 | Good To Soft | 21 | Quevega (FR) | Robin Des Champs (FR) | 5 | Walsh, R | Mullins, W P | 2/1 | 11-3 | 155 | 20d |
| 14.03.2008 | Good To Soft | 13 | Whiteoak (IRE) | Oscar (IRE) | 5 | Maguire, Jason | McCain Jnr, D | 20/1 | 11-0 | 129 | 27d |
Keith Bond is our resident pro tipster here at FRT Towers. Keith lives and breathes horse racing, having begun his love of horse racing over 40 years ago with a part time job at Catterick Racecourse, as one of three fourteen year-olds looking after two jumps and a hurdle.
Over the years, Keith has been a regular at the northern tracks attending countless race meetings and building up a network of contacts, and a portfolio of systems and strategies.
He was one of the co-founders of Free Racing Tips all the way back in 2008, and his free tips are now backed by more than seventy thousand FRT members every single day.
“Thanks Keith – It’s great to be part of an amazing group of people all after the same thing, passing on tips to beat the bookies”
Colin Parkinson, Harrow.
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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 |
The Countdown to Cheltenham 2022
Day(s)
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RACE 7 RESULT - Summer's Coming, Ibiza's Calling #captaintreaders Mares' Maiden Hurdle
🥇 Legendary Grace
🥈 Forthegreatergood
🥉 First Glance
Jockey: James Davies
Trainer: @GiffordNick
Owners: R Delnevo
GBB registered runners in the 4.50 Summer's Coming, Ibiza's Calling #captaintreaders Mares' Maiden Hurdle (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m 4f) @WorcesterRaces
🏇 FIRST GLANCE - T: Oliver Greenall J: Henry Brooke
🏇 LEGENDARY GRACE - T: Nick Gifford J: James Davies
💷 £20,000 #GBBonus
We have 3 runners at @WorcesterRaces this afternoon.
Edinburgh Castle runs in the 3.45 Maiden Hurdle.
Pagero runs in the 4.20 Handicap Hurdle.
Flames Of Passion runs in the 4.50 Mares’ Maiden Hurdle.
Jonjo Jr. rides.
Runner at Nantes today named after the Festival when it becomes 5 days and the 2 new races are a 2m4f Grade 1 hurdle and a mares bumper
Personally I’m really excited about seeing a 2 mile cross country handicap hurdle for juveniles followed by a mares bumper.
"They're the four biggest days in the calendar. They're probably the four most profitable days racing of the year, so why not have another one? We need the money."
Nicky Henderson has given his thoughts on the five-day festival plans 💭
