16:50 Cheltenham

Friday 17 March 2023

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase (Registered As The Liberthine Mares' Chase) (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Weighed In

Off time: 16:51 | Winning time: 5m 18.67s

Allegorie De Vassy^t⁵⁴

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

13/8

Arrives unbeaten in 4 starts since joining Willie Mullins, bolting up in Grade 2 mares' novice chases at Limerick and Thurles this winter. Her tendency to jump right at the latter track is a slight concern now switching to a left-handed course but she's a hugely exciting prospect.

Form: 2/311-11

Elimay^b1,t³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: L P Dempsey| T: W P Mullins| OR: 149| CD

20/1

Edged out Pink Legend to win this race last year but her 2 runs this winter have been underwhelming. No big surprise were she to revive in first-time blinkers (replacing cheekpieces) but Allegorie de Vassy has to be considered the stable number one.

Form: 211-244

Impervious⁶¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: B Hayes| T: Colm Murphy| OR: 151

15/8

3-3 over fences, taking her form up another notch stepping up to 2½m for the first time in this discipline when proving ½ length too strong for Journey With Me (won since) in Punchestown Grade 3 last time. Likely there's even more to come. Leading claims.

Form: 565-111

Riviere D'etel¹¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: J C Gainford| T: G Elliott| OR: 149| BF

18/1

Smart chaser who won her first 3 outings over fences last season. Respectable reappearance fourth at Navan in November but ran poorly when a remote last of 4 in a Carlisle listed event a fortnight later. Given a break since.

Form: 2253-24

Dolcita⁷⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 142| D

25/1

Bounced back to best to win 9-runner listed chase at Clonmel (20.5f, heavy) in November. Very good 4¾ lengths second of 5 to Scarlet And Dove in Grade 3 at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day but even that leaves her with a bit to find here.

Form: 121-312

Jeremys Flame^h⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: K M Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 150

15/2

Improved performer this season, making it 3 wins in last 4 starts when seeing off the reopposing Zambella by 6½ lengths in 2½m Huntingdon listed chase 7 weeks ago. That form doesn't leave her too much to find with market leaders here.

Form: 631151

Magic Daze^t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 148

9/1

Showed a really good attitude when posting a smart effort to win a 2m Naas listed event last month, forcing pace and finding extra when tackled after 2 out. Stamina isn't assured stepping back up in trip.

Form: 38-1221

Pink Legend³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 142| CD

33/1

Beaten ½ length by Elimay in this 12 months go. A 3m Exeter listed win last month shows she arrives in good form again but it looks a stronger race this year.

Form: 22-6341

Zambella⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: D A Jacob| T: N A Twiston-Davies| OR: 144| BF| D

22/1

Has bagged listed chases at Carlisle and Doncaster this winter but Jeremy's Flame proved too strong for her at Huntingdon last time. Fourth in this last year and suspicion she'll find a few too good again.

Form: 43-2112

Forecasts

Allegorie De Vassy (13/8), Impervious (15/8), Jeremys Flame (15/2), Magic Daze (9/1), Riviere D'etel (18/1), Elimay (20/1), Zambella (22/1), Dolcita (25/1), Pink Legend (33/1)

A fascinating clash between 2 young chasers who could be very smart. IMPERVIOUS really impressed when claiming the scalp of Journey With Me at Punchestown in January and is narrowly preferred to Allegorie de Vassy, who has been a very easy winner of her 2 starts over fences. Jeremys Flame looks best of the rest.