Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Mares' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:02 | Winning time: 5m 50.44s

Royale Margaux^t³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 125

6/4

Five-time hurdles/dual chase winner in France for David Cottin and fairly useful form over fences in this country. Understandably struggled in listed company last time and and better judged on her solid second in a handicap at Cheltenham (20.6f, good to soft) on penultimate start. The one to beat.

Form: P42-825

Game On For Glory^p⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Bryony Frost| T: L Wadham| OR: 119

3/1

Bumper/hurdles winner who duly stepped up on Wetherby comeback spin in November (first run for almost 2 years) when runner-up in first-time cheekpieces on chase debut at Warwick (2½m, heavy). Poor effort in listed company since but she's unexposed in this sphere and probably worth another chance.

Form: 124/42P

Lilith^t,v1⁴⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 114| CD

6/4

Put in a good round of jumping when landing this race 12 months ago. Below par since but she has slipped down the weights as a consequence (4 lb lower than last year) and will be a threat if the addition of more severe headgear (sports first-time visor) has the desired effect.

Form: 133-674

Libby²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: R Menzies| OR: 106

25/1

Fair form over hurdles for Joseph O'Brien but well held on the Flat and over hurdles for this yard. Hopes pinned on this step up in trip/switch to fences sparking improvement.

Form: 4524-67

Forecasts

Lilith (6/4), Royale Margaux (6/4), Game On For Glory (3/1), Libby (25/1)

LILITH returned to form when winning this race last year and may well repeat the dose this time round having slipped to a handy mark. Indeed, she's 4 lb lower compared to 12 months ago and the first-time visor/prospect of a soft lead are other factors which could potentially help tilt the scales in her favour. Royale Margaux will be a big threat if reproducing the form of her Cheltenham effort in December and she is feared most ahead of Game On For Glory.