16:10 Cheltenham

Tuesday 14 March 2023

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

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

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 5m 5.13s

Brandy Love^h²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 149| D

9/1

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.

Form: 13/121-3

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Echoes In Rain^t⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152

9/1

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.

Form: 35-2F1

Epatante⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Henderson| OR: 153| C| D

6/1

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.

Form: 1-3221

Honeysuckle³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 159| BF| CD

9/4

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.

Form: 11-132

Love Envoi^t⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: J J Burke| T: H Fry| OR: 147| C| D

11/1

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.

Form: 1112-11

Marie's Rock^t⁷²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 153| CD

9/4

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.

Form: P11-11

Queens Brook²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 145| BF| D

16/1

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.

Form: 22-3121

Shewearsitwell⁷⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 148| D

28/1

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.

Form: 15P411

Theatre Glory³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 145| CD

50/1

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.

Form: 111-U31

Non-Runners

Midnight Ginger⁴²

Weight: 11-5| Age: 7

T: Andrew Martin J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Honeysuckle (9/4), Marie's Rock (9/4), Epatante (6/1), Echoes In Rain (9/1), Brandy Love (9/1), Love Envoi (11/1), Queens Brook (16/1), Shewearsitwell (28/1), Theatre Glory (50/1), Midnight Ginger (150/1)

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.