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David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle 2023 Racecard
The David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race which is open to mares aged four years or older. The David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle is one of the newer races at the Cheltenham Festival, first run in 2008 when it was held on the final day of the meeting and run on the New Course.
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4:10 Tue 14 Mar DAVID NICHOLSON MARES' HURDLE Distance: 19f 200y Age: 4yo + Prize: £127,998 Going: Soft
MARIE'S ROCK showed her trademark turn of foot when landing this contest 12 months ago and Nicky Henderson's improving mare can utilise it again to telling effect to fend off former Champion Hurdle winners Honeysuckle and Epatante. Henry de Bromhead's outstanding mare is greatly feared now stepping back up in trip though, while Echoes In Rain is another who could enter calculations in a superb renewal. |
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Analyst's Verdict| ENTRY FORM |
SILKS | HORSE JOCKEY & TRAINER |
AGE WGT |
ODDS | |
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1 |
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1. BRANDY LOVE (IRE) J: P. Townend T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland |
7 11-5 |
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| Low-mileage 7-y-o who signed off for last term with success in Grade 1 novice at Fairyhouse in the spring. Returned from 10 months off with promising third of 7 to Queens Brook in Quevega Mares Hurdle at Punchestown (20.4f) 20 days ago. Should have more to offer. Shortlisted. | |||||
2 |
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2. ECHOES IN RAIN (FR) J: Mr P. W. Mullins T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland |
7 11-5 |
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| Smart hurdler who was still going well when falling 2 out in Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse (19.6f) before easily landing the odds in Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas (2m) in January. Shouldn't be underestimated. | |||||
3 |
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3. EPATANTE (FR) J: Aidan Coleman T: Nicky Henderson |
9 11-5 |
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| Well-established, classy mare, who ran with credit behind stablemate Constitution Hill in Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdle this term before easily landing the odds in Doncaster Grade 2. The 2020 Champion Hurdle heroine must enter calculations. | |||||
4 |
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4. HONEYSUCKLE J: Rachael Blackmore T: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland |
9 11-5 |
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| Outstanding mare who was unbeaten in 16 runs, including in this event and 2 Champion Hurdles, until only placed in Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse and Irish Champion at Leopardstown on her last two starts. Still rates a big player here going back up in trip. | |||||
5 |
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5. LOVE ENVOI (IRE) J: Jonathan Burke T: Harry Fry |
7 11-5 |
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| Strong-travelling mare who took the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last season. Better form still displayed in winning twice at Sandown this winter so she can't be discounted. | |||||
6 |
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6. MARIE'S ROCK (IRE) J: Nico de Boinville T: Nicky Henderson |
8 11-5 |
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| Much improved since stepped up to around 2½m (won 5 of 6 starts) and she resumed after 8 months off with stylish success in Relkeel Hurdle here in January. Also took this event 12 months ago when showing a good turn of foot so she's just about the pick in a really hot renewal. | |||||
7 |
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7. MIDNIGHT GINGER J: Non Runner T: Andrew Martin |
7 11-5 |
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| Likeable mare who added to her tally in 2m Newbury handicap on New Year's Eve. Good fifth in Ffos Las handicap since but this is a very tough ask. NON RUNNER. | |||||
8 |
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8. QUEENS BROOK (IRE) J: Davy Russell T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland |
8 11-5 |
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| Smart hurdler who bagged her second success this term in Quevega Mares Hurdle at Punchestown (20.4f) 20 days ago. Also runner-up in this contest 12 months ago so she's not dismissed, but does need more in hot renewal. | |||||
9 |
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9. SHEWEARSITWELL (IRE) J: D. E. Mullins T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland |
8 11-5 |
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| Smart hurdler who arrives on a hat-trick after ready successes at Punchestown and Leopardstown (Irish EBF Mares' Hurdle by 4½ lengths from Queens Brook) this winter. This demands more but she's no forlorn hope after a break. | |||||
10 |
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10. THEATRE GLORY (IRE) J: Daryl Jacob T: Nicky Henderson |
6 11-5 |
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| Improving mare who picked up her fifth win over hurdles when readily landing Warwick listed event in February. Yard also has Marie's Rock and Epatante in here but this C&D winner is likely to give another good account back up in grade. | |||||
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Betting Forecast : 3/1 3 MARIE's ROCK, 7/2 3.5 HONEYSUCKLE, 11/2 5.5 EPATANTE, 9/1 9 BRANDY LOVE, 9/1 9 LOVE ENVOI, 11/1 11 ECHOES IN RAIN, 25/1 25 QUEENS BROOK, 25/1 25 SHEWEARSITWELL, 25/1 25 THEATRE GLORY |
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The David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle was switched to its current position on day one of the Cheltenham Festival in 2009, and was upgraded to Grade 1 status in 2015.
The race is now run on the Old Course over a distance of about two and a half miles (2 miles, 3 furlongs and 200 yards), and horses will jump nine hurdles in total.
Though one of the less valuable Grade 1 races at the Cheltenham Festival, the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle has plenty of heritage associated with it, named as it is after the legendary trainer who won 17 races at the Cheltenham Festival, having also ridden five at the meeting as a jockey.
David Nicholson , who died in 2006, was British jump racing Champion Trainer in the 1993–94 and 1994–95 seasons.
The son of Herbert Charles Denton Nicholson (or ‘Frenchie’ Nicholson), who was also a successful jockey and National Hunt trainer, David Nicholson was nicknamed 'The Duke' by one of his father's grooms, and won the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Charter Party in 1988 and the Queen Mother Champion Chase with Viking Flagship in 1994 and 1995. He retired in 1999.
The David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle has been dominated by Willie Mullins , who is the most successful trainer in the race’s history.
He successfully saddled Quevega to win the next six renewals following Whiteoak’s victory in the 2008 David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle, a race that Mullins didn’t have any runners in.
Quevega was retired in May 2014, two months after recording her final win in the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle aged 10.
Mullins won the following year’s renewal, though it wasn’t with the hot favourite Annie Power, who was four lengths clear when falling at the final flight of hurdles under Ruby Walsh. Instead, it was the 6/1 chance Glens Melody who prevailed.
The fall of Annie Power was not only a costly one for her jockey, but a blow to punters who had backed her into 2/1-on favourite for the race.
Annie Power was the fourth leg of lots of large multiple placed on horses trained by Mullins who were running on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.
The first three runners, Douvan, Un de Sceaux and Faugheen, all won, and it was estimated by bookmakers that the fall of Annie Power saved them upwards of £50 million of payouts.
Mullins won two of the three following renewals of the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle, with the Gordon Elliott -trained Apple’s Jade the only horse who has broken that pattern.
Apple’s Jade beat Mullins runners into second and third when winning the 2017 David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle, but could only manage third place a year later.
In almost an exact replica of Annie Power’s fall, Benie des Dieux lost the 2019 renewal when departing at the last when well clear, leaving the path clear for Roksana to oblige for Dan Skelton.
In terms of Timeform ratings, it usually takes a useful performance to win the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle. The best performance was Quevega’s 2009 win, where she won by 14 lengths from United, and recorded a rating classed as smart on Timeform’s scale.
It’s no surprise that the most successful jockey in the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle is Ruby Walsh , the number one jockey for Willie Mullins.
Walsh has ridden all-but-one of the yard’s winners, and his record of eight wins in the race is unlikely to be surpassed by any other rider. The only other jockeys to win the race are Jason Maguire (Whiteoak), Paul Townend (Glens Melody), Bryan Cooper (Apple’s Jade) and Harry Skelton (Roksana).
The only other jockeys to win the race are Jason Maguire (Whiteoak), Paul Townend (Glens Melody) and Bryan Cooper (Apple’s Jade).
David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle FAQs
What is the distance of the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle?
2 miles, 3 furlongs and 200 yards
How many obstacles are jumped in the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle?
9
What day of the festival is the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle?
Day 1
What time is the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle?
16:10
What weights are carried for the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle?
11 st 5 lb (5yo+). 10 st 10 lb (4yo).
What is the purse for the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle?
£120,000 (2019)
Who is the leading jockey in the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle*?
Ruby Walsh
Who is the leading trainer in the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle*?
Willie Mullins
Who won the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle?
You can check out our David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle results page here to see a list of previous winners.
Where can I compare the odds for the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle?
Click the link to visit our David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle Odds Comparison page.
*Since 1977
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