16:10 Cheltenham

Tuesday 12 March 2024

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 10.38s

Ashroe Diamond^h1⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 144| D

15/2

Yet to be beaten by a mare over hurdles and added another valuable pot to her tally with victory in Grade 2 at Doncaster 7 weeks ago from Under Control and Gala Marceau, travelling powerfully through the race. Likeable sort and she can go well in first-time hood.

Form: 3311-31

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Echoes In Rain^h,t³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152

14/1

Not seen to best effect in this last year and put matters right when landing the Grade 1 over this trip at Punchestown. Has been chasing home stablemate State Man this season and this is much more her bag back against her own sex. Leading claims.

Form: 141-234

Gala Marceau^h²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 146| BF

12/1

The only horse to have beaten Lossiemouth (although the score stands at 2-1 to her stablemate) and she landed a Grade 1 in France in May. Needs to bounce back from a poor showing at Punchestown but she was a fine second behind the favourite in last year's Triumph and shouldn't be underestimated.

Form: 123-133

Hispanic Moon²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 143| D

40/1

Multiple winner in France and 2-3 for new yard this term, drawing clear in weak mares' Grade 3 at Punchestown last month (Gala Marceau disappointing in third). This is way tougher.

Form: 216-161

Lantry Lady^t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Kennedy| T: H De Bromhead

18/1

From the family of Annie Power and has made a promising start with wide-margin victories at Gowran (2m) 11 months apart, forging clear in a first-time tongue tie from What's Up Darling 3 weeks ago. Likely has more to offer up in trip and shouldn't be overlooked.

Form: 1-1

Lossiemouth⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 155| C

8/13

The leading juvenile last season, landing the Triumph here (from Gala Marceau) and the Champion at Punchestown. Made a sparkling return to action with a stunning success here in January from Love Envoi and will take the beating if staying this new trip as expected.

Form: 11211-1

Love Envoi^p1,t⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: J J Burke| T: H Fry| OR: 149| C| D

14/1

Won the Mares' Novice Hurdle at the 2022 Festival and made Honeysuckle work when second in this last year. Best effort since when chasing home Lossiemouth in the International here in January and no surprise to see her go well back up in trip in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 1126-22

Marie's Rock^t⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 150| CD

12/1

Took this in 2022 and made the most of a good opportunity back against her own sex when seeing off You Wear It Well at Doncaster (extended 3m) 7 weeks ago. Will need a return to her very best to take this back down in trip, while she's prone to pulling hard.

Form: 172-421

Telmesomethinggirl⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 140| C| D

22/1

Won the Mares' Novice Hurdle at the 2021 Festival and brought down 2 out when fancied and going well in this in 2022. Successful over fences in the meantime and back to her useful form in this sphere when second in thin Grade 3 at Naas 7 weeks ago. More to find this time.

Form: 12F-342

Theatre Glory^p1⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 141| CD

125/1

Has won 5 times over hurdles but this season has been a bit of a write-off so far, falling here in December and well held when attracting support behind stablemate Marie's Rock at Doncaster last time. Hard to fancy in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 163-3F5

You Wear It Well²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 144| BF| C| D

25/1

Won the Grade 2 Mares' Novice Hurdle at last year's Festival from Magical Zoe and successful return at Wetherby in October. Best not judged on latest Haydock defeat (bad mistake sixth) and expected to be back on her game here.

Form: 15-1323

Forecasts

Lossiemouth (8/13), Ashroe Diamond (15/2), Gala Marceau (12/1), Marie's Rock (12/1), Love Envoi (14/1), Echoes In Rain (14/1), Lantry Lady (18/1), Telmesomethinggirl (22/1), You Wear It Well (25/1), Hispanic Moon (40/1), Theatre Glory (125/1)

LOSSIEMOUTH has her stamina to prove but there aren't signs that she won't stay and on the back of an impressive winning return here she can end a five-year losing run for Willie Mullins in this contest. Echoes In Rain, who has been chasing home State Man this term, is a solid alternative for the yard. Last year's runner-up Love Envoi could be the best hope for the home team.