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

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 54.95s

Dream On Baby⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Donagh Meyler| T: E Mullins| OR: 139

33/1

Back to winning ways in listed mares event at Kempton (2m5f) in November and has improved her form when placed in Grade 3 at Leopardstown (behind Wodhooh) and Grade 2 at Doncaster (beaten 2l by Feet of A Dancer) since. No forlorn hope.

Form: P22132

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Feet Of A Dancer⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: P Nolan| OR: 141| D

8/1

Reliable sort who resumed with listed hurdle success at Punchestown (2m2f) and gained a first win in graded company in Yorkshire Rose at Doncaster (3m) in January. Runner-up to Wodhooh at Leopardstown inbetween so she can't be totally dismissed.

Form: 343-121

Jade De Grugy⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 150| D

2/1

Smart winning hurdler who has shown similar form sent over fences this season, easily making all in Grade 2 at Thurles in January. Runner-up to Lossiemouth in this 12 months ago and she shouldn't be taken lightly reverted to this sphere as the sole representative of Willie Mullins.

Form: 121-321

Jetara^b1⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: James Bowen| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 142| D

40/1

Landed Grade 2 mares' hurdle at Doncaster last season when also a good fourth in this event. Winless this term but returned to form when third to Feet of A Dancer back in Yorkshire Rose at Doncaster (3m) in January. Blinkers replace usual cheekpieces and she looks set for minor honours again here.

Form: 433-373

Sunset Marquesa^t⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 129| D

100/1

Notched a third success over hurdles in a 2m4f mares handicap at Sandown in December. Took a step forward when third in Grade 2 at Ascot (2m) following month but a big personal best is required in this company.

Form: 1F-3143

Take No Chances⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 145| D

12/1

Landed a mares Grade 2 at Ascot (2m4f) last term and also came in a good third to Lossiemouth in this event. Running well without winning this season, third in 2m4f Windsor conditions event in January. Place prospects once more for this reliable mare.

Form: 35-6233

Wodhooh⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 154| CD

5/6

Smart Irish mare who took last season's Martin Pipe over C&D at the Cheltenham Festival in good style. Has returned as good as ever with cosy wins (around 2m4f) in Ascot Grade 2 and Leopardstown Grade 3 either side of Christmas. Beaten only once over hurdles and a big player back here.

Form: 1/112-11

Forecasts

Wodhooh (5/6), Jade De Grugy (2/1), Feet Of A Dancer (8/1), Take No Chances (12/1), Dream On Baby (33/1), Jetara (40/1), Sunset Marquesa (100/1)

WODHOOH has met with defeat just once over hurdles and, with Lossiemouth switching at the eleventh hour to the Champion Hurdle, Gordon Elliott's smart and likeable mare gets a confident vote to maintain her unbeaten record this season. Willie Mullins relies on Jade de Grugy in the absence of his star mare and, just like 12 months ago, she could be set to fill the runner-up spot again. Take No Chances, Feet of A Dancer and Jetara can fight it out for minor honours.