15:20 Cheltenham

Tuesday 11 March 2025

All13:2014:0014:4015:2016:0016:4017:20

Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle) (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 4m 53.87s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Dysart Enos⁸⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 135| BF| C

28/1

Successful on each of her first 6 outings in bumpers/novice hurdles. Missed Spring Festivals last term but returned from 10 months off with a good third in Greatwood Hurdle here (16.4f) in November. Subdued display at Ascot a month later and this no easy assignment on first crack at this trip.

Form: 1/111-37

Gala Marceau^h³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: B Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 145| BF

66/1

Smart mare who was runner up in the Triumph Hurdle 2 years ago. Had little go right when midfield in this race 12 months ago but no match for Lossiemouth at Punchestown in May and whilst she may come on for last month's Warwick return, others hold more pressing claims.

Form: 1336-23

Jade De Grugy¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 151| D

5/1

Finished fourth behind Golden Ace in the mares' novice here 12 months ago but unbeaten otherwise, and her reappearance success in Gr 3 Quevega Hurdle at Punchestown (20.1f) 19 days ago was her best effort yet. Very much appeals as the chief threat to Lossiemouth with further progress anticipated.

Form: 1/1141-1

Jetara^p⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Ewing| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 146| D

33/1

Useful mare who has won 3 times on Flat/over hurdles since the autumn, returning to her best equipped with first-time cheekpieces (retained here) when narrowly landing mares' Grade 2 at Doncaster (24.4f) 45 days ago. This clearly tougher but not without an each-way squeak.

Form: 3-21531

Joyeuse³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 138

12/1

Half-sister to connections' Champion Hurdle winner Epatante who made a mockery of her opening mark when a mightily impressive winner of the hotly-contested William Hill Handicap at Newbury 31 days ago. Supplemented and while this is much tougher she's clearly very progressive.

Form: 1/1-321

July Flower⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 148| D

8/1

6-y-o mare who reached a useful level over hurdles in France (placed in Gr. 1) and perfect start for new yard/after 8 months off when taking Leopardstown Grade 3 (19.8f) in December, her stamina shining through in a strongly-run race. Each-way player back up in class.

Form: P223-31

Kala Conti⁷²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: J W Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 145

16/1

Likeable mare who won 3 of her 5 starts as a novice and improved again this term, successful on return at Down Royal (16.9f) in November. Acquitted herself well in Grade 3 company both starts since, 4 lengths second to July Flower at Leopardstown in December. Still unexposed at this trip.

Form: 215-122

Lossiemouth³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| BF| CD

4/6

Easy winner of this and a Punchestown Grade 1 last term and showed all her class when winning Gr. 1 Hatton's Grace on return in December. No match for Constitution Hill at Kempton but still going with plenty of zest when falling in Irish Champion 37 days ago. Tough to beat back against her own sex.

Form: 11-112F

Queens Gamble³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 136| C

66/1

Likeable mare who won all 3 starts as a novice and resumed with a good second in Gerry Fielden at Newbury (16.3f) in November. Again ran well without the race getting to the bottom of her when sixth in big-field Leopardstown handicap last month but hard to envisage her playing a lead role here.

Form: 0/111-26

Take No Chances⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 140| D

22/1

Useful mare who bagged a 2m Wetherby listed race at the beginning of November. Found the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth at Newcastle too hot but quickly back to best, proving willing when resuming winning ways in Mares' Grade 2 at Ascot in January. Minor honours probably best she can hope for here, though.

Form: 431531

Non-Runners

Casa No Mento¹³

Weight: 11-5| Age: 7

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Forecasts

Lossiemouth (4/6), Jade De Grugy (5/1), July Flower (8/1), Joyeuse (12/1), Kala Conti (16/1), Take No Chances (22/1), Dysart Enos (28/1), Jetara (33/1), Queens Gamble (66/1), Gala Marceau (66/1), Casa No Mento (100/1)

Last year's heroine LOSSIEMOUTH hasn't had things go to plan following her taking reappearance success in the Hatton's Grace in December yet, re-routed here as opposed to a tilt at the Champion Hurdle, Willie Mullins' mare very much rates the one to beat. Stablemate Jade de Grugy was most impressive when successful on return in the Quevega Hurdle 19 days ago and she can pose the chief threat. Joyeuse and July Flower rate next best, with Kala Conti also making each-way appeal.