Hanlon Concrete Irish EBF Glencarraig Lady Francis Flood Mares Chase (Grade 2)

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 151| D

Much improved over fences, winning Grade 1 against the males at Fairyhouse last season and making it 5 wins on the spin at Doncaster in December. Pulled up in Irish Gold Cup next time, before not discredited conceding weight all round when fourth behind Dinoblue at Cheltenham.

Form: 11-11P4

Dinoblue^t⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 159| CD

8/13

Landed the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase at Cheltenham in 2025 before a wide-margin winner of this race. Runner-up against the males after a break but has won all 3 starts in mares company since, comfortably seeing off Only By Night back at Cheltenham last time. Leading contender.

Form: 11-2111

Kala Conti²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 146

7/1

Made bright start over fences when winning first 2 races, including Grade 2 mares novice at Cork in December. Progress has stalled at the highest level the last twice, though likely to have been involved in the finish but for falling 3 out in the Maghull at Aintree. Could bounce back.

Form: 70-112F

Only By Night^p⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 152

4/1

Won first 3 starts over fences last season before runner-up at the highest level at Cheltenham and this meeting. Successful in Grade 3 at Naas in November and bounced back from a lesser effort when second to Dinoblue at Cheltenham last time. Can give another good account.

Form: 122-152

Broomfield Bijou²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Donagh Meyler| T: James Hannon| OR: 125| C

100/1

Yet to add to her chasing debut success but was a good second on stable debut in handicap at Thurles in February. Also ran well when second in 3-runner Grade 3 at Cork last time, but faces a tough ask in this contest.

Form: 27P-202

Sophia Rose³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Conor Stone-Walsh| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 103| D

250/1

Winning hurdler who showed better form when making the frame on first 4 starts over fences, including when runner-up in mares handicap here (2¾m) in February. However, below par the last twice and looks up against it at this level.

Form: 2342P6

Forecasts

Dinoblue (4/6), Only By Night (9/4), Spindleberry (8/1), Kala Conti (10/1), Broomfield Bijou (66/1), Sophia Rose (150/1)

The admirable DINOBLUE is unbeaten in her last 6 starts in mares company, making it back-to-back wins in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase at Cheltenham last time, and she can also land this race for the second year running. Only By Night was runner-up to Dinoblue at Cheltenham and could be the chief threat again, with Kala Conti completing the shortlist.