Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Mares' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 5m 42.64s

Haute Estime³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 128

9/2

Listed hurdles winner against her own sex last winter and signed off for the season with a mighty third in the Sefton at Aintree (looked well suited by 3m). However, she was well beaten on second chase start at Cheltenham in November and again struggled back over hurdles last time.

Form: 143-244

Maid O'Malley³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 125| CD

7/4

Form figures here over hurdles/fences read 2212, which includes a clear-cut success in this race 12 months ago. Ran about as well as could've been expected when second to Zambella in a C&D listed event on return and, though below par next time, she's a big player back in handicap company.

Form: 11F5-24

Lilith^b,t⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 118| D

4/1

Ended last term on a high, landing mares' handicap chases at Newbury (2½m) and Punchestown (21f). Hasn't fired on all cylinders in 2 starts so far this season but a return to form would certainly see her competitive in this contest.

Form: 2311-33

La Renommee¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 112

9/4

Yet to score for current yard and she failed to make an impact in handicap hurdles on her first 2 starts of this campaign. However, took a step firmly back in the right direction when runner-up on recent chase debut at Wetherby (19.4f, soft) and every chance here if able to build on that.

Form: 322-462

Forecasts

Maid O'Malley (7/4), La Renommee (9/4), Lilith (4/1), Haute Estime (9/2)

MAID O'MALLEY did the job well in this race last year, and while she's 11 lb higher this time round and may not be gifted an easy lead with Lilith in opposition, the Stuart Coltherd-trained mare should nevertheless prove a tough nut to crack. With both Haute Estime and Lilith both needing to bounce back, La Renommee, who made an encouraging start over fences at Wetherby, is likely to emerge as the main danger.