Close Brothers Mares Hurdle Preview - Cheltenham Festival
Published on: 10/03/2020
Close Brothers Mares Hurdle Preview - Cheltenham Festival
March 10, 2020 16:10pm - Cheltenham
Distance: 2m 3f 200y
Grade: (Grade 1) (Class 1)
Runners: 9
Winner:£67,524.00
Going: Soft
The Mares Hurdle is yet another Grade One highlight on Day One. The 2m 4f race has been staged since 2008 and has been dominated by Irish trainer Willie Mullins who has already landed 12 winners. Quevega won the race six times in a row for Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh between 2009 and 2014.
Mullins could be on course for another win with Benie Des Dieux. The nine-year-old is an outstanding horse and a previous winner having won two years ago. She probably should have won it last year but fell when she had the field under full control. She bounced back with a vengeance to win two Grade Ones since then (at Punchestown and Auteuil) and a stunning Grade Two victory by 21L at Gowran Park over three miles. Despite some class opposition including Honeysuckle, this is the horse to beat. You won`t get great odds but she could be one for your banker`s list if you are building multiples this week.
For each-way value look no further than Stormy Ireland who has improved since finishing second a year ago and is well priced at 12/1.
Close Brothers Mares Hurdle Winners - past six years:
2014: Quevega (10) - Ruby Walsh (Willie Mullins)
2015: Glens Melody (7) - Paul Townend (Willie Mullins)
2016: Vroum Vroum Mag (7) - Ruby Walsh (Willie Mullins)
2017: Apple`s Jade (5) - Bryan Cooper (Gordon Elliott)
2018: Benie Des Dieux (7) - Ruby Walsh (Willie Mullins)
2019: Roksana (7) - Harry Skelton (Dan Skelton)
Latest Betting odds:
Benie Des Dieux 8/13
Honeysuckle 10/3
Stormy Ireland 12/1
Roksana 14/1
Elfile 28/1
Lady Buttons 33/1
Popong 150/1
Cap Soleil 150/1
Desaray Girl 200/1
By Neil Morris
Published on: 10/03/2020
Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (10/03/2020 14:34:54) but are subject to change.
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