16:50 Cheltenham

Friday 15 March 2024

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

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

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 5m 34.77s

Dinoblue⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160

15/8

Has thrived since finishing second in last year's Grand Annual, winning next 4 starts, notably when beating the males in Grade 1 at Leopardstown over Christmas. Winning run came to an end when chasing home El Fabiolo in Dublin Chase there since but still produced a very smart effort. Hard to beat.

Form: 211-112

Allegorie De Vassy^t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 155

5/2

Dual Grade 2 winner last season and was also an excellent second in this race when beaten favourite. As good as ever when winning 2 of her 3 starts this term, including when beating Riviere d'Etel by 4 lengths in listed chase at Naas 5 weeks ago. Sure to go well again.

Form: 223-121

Harmonya Maker²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Jordan Gainford| T: G Elliott| OR: 142| BF

40/1

Career best when winning 6-runner Grade 2 mares chase at Thurles (20.2f, heavy, 10/3) in January but that was a weak race for the grade and could manage only third when 5¼ lengths behind Marsh Wren in listed chase there since. Firmly up against it under a penalty.

Form: P-12313

Instit³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 140| D

18/1

Useful chaser at best but just the one respectable effort this season and looks firmly up against it.

Form: 12-6234

Kestrel Valley^t³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 127

100/1

Likeable front runner who gained second success for this yard in comfortable fashion at Ludlow (25.5f, heavy) in January. Good 8½ lengths third of 5 to Carole's Pass in listed chase at Exeter (24.2f, heavy) since but this looks too tough.

Form: 11-1413

Limerick Lace⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 147| D

3/1

Smart chaser who's won 2 of her 3 starts this season, making most of a good opportunity in listed event at Doncaster when last seen in December. Arrives on the up and may yet do better still, so she's an intriguing contender in receipt of weight off the Mullins pair.

Form: 123-121

Marsh Wren²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 132| D

28/1

Prolific over hurdles and has looked a natural switched to fences this season, winning 3 of her 4 starts, including listed chase at Thurles 3 weeks ago. A big step forward is required to get involved in this, however.

Form: 91-1211

Pink Legend³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 140| CD

33/1

Decent strike rate over fences and placed in the last 2 renewals of this but arrives with a bit to prove after dismal efforts at Huntingdon and Exeter.

Form: 1-414FP

Riviere D'etel²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 149| BF| D

7/1

Ended a lengthy losing streak when beating a below-par Allegorie de Vassy by a wide margin in Grade 3 at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day. Beaten by that rival at Naas next time and again found one too good in Grade 2 at Gowran since. Probably better going the other way around (tends to jump right).

Form: P-22122

Non-Runners

Brides Hill⁵⁰

Weight: 11-2| Age: 7

T: G P Cromwell J: Sean Flanagan

Carole's Pass³³

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: Miss A Murphy J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

Forecasts

Dinoblue (15/8), Allegorie De Vassy (5/2), Limerick Lace (3/1), Riviere D'etel (7/1), Brides Hill (8/1), Instit (18/1), Carole's Pass (25/1), Marsh Wren (28/1), Pink Legend (33/1), Harmonya Maker (40/1), Kestrel Valley (100/1)

DINOBLUE had her winning run ended only by the top-class El Fabiolo in the Dublin Chase at Leopardstown last time and this looks hers for the taking back against her own sex with the longer trip unlikely to be an issue. Her stablemate Allegorie de Vassy was an excellent second in this last season and can fill the same spot again, with Limerick Lace a clear best of the rest.