March 14 / 16.50 Cheltenham

16.50

Soft

Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB)

  • Prize money: £59083.5
  • 2m 0f 179y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
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Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £13.00
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 152-11 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Has 9l to find with Dysart Enos on their bumper clash and both her hurdle wins have come at Taunton; the male rival she beat first time (soft) has since gone close in a good Grade 2 here and she made light work of lesser opposition when following up under a penalty; there's a suspicion that she'll hold her own but ultimately come up short, though her trainer isn't thinking along those lines having sounded so bullish in the build-up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 45y

18:40 Punchestown

Golden Ace

11st 5lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Fortuitous winner of the 2025 Champion Hurdle (same story in this season's Fighting Fifth); could only manage fifth when attempting to retain her crown (9.75l behind Lossiemouth); posted another solid effort in the Aintree Hurdle last time when fourth (2m4f, good to soft); return to 2m should suit, cheekpieces go on and she was second in this contest last year (good) but may need further luck to increase Grade 1 haul.

8/1

4th

7

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Golden Ace

11st 3lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Fortuitous winner of the 2025 Champion Hurdle (same story in the Fighting Fifth) and finished only fifth, behind some of today's rivals, when attempting to retain her crown; largely consistent and has won over 2m4f but increasing her Grade 1 tally may require further luck.

12/1

5th

8

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Golden Ace

11st 3lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Record of 3-4 at Cheltenham features two Festival wins, beating Brighterdaysahead in the Grade 2 novice hurdle in 2024 then admittedly fortuitous (left in lead when State Man took a late fall; odds-on Constitution Hill exited earlier) when 25-1 in this race last year; also had fortune on her side in this season's Fighting Fifth as the front two in the market, including The New Lion, failed to complete; ran creditably on Boxing Day when last seen; largely consistent and should go well but may require further luck to retain her crown.

8/1

OUR TIP

10/11

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 11-111 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Half-sister to the yard's high-class Mighty Potter; won both her bumpers (one on yielding; all other career starts on soft or heavy) with the minimum of fuss and it's been a similar tale in going 3-3 over hurdles; it was workmanlike rather than super-stylish in a Grade 3 at Down Royal in November (2m1f) but her jumping was more accomplished at Navan (2m5f Listed) and she duly won with any amount in hand; boasts persuasive claims on the figures and, if buying into all the hype, she's as good as anything in Gordon Elliott's yard; worthy favourite.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Brighterdaysahead

11st 3lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Has form on most types of ground; took her Cheltenham Festival record to 0-3 with a defeat in the latest Champion Hurdle but that was a respectable effort without managing to confirm placings with Lossiemouth, who had played second fiddle in the Irish equivalent; record of 2-3 at about 2m4f includes an easy success in the Mersey at this meeting two years ago; very smart mare who holds leading claims at the weights.

2/1

2nd

7

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Brighterdaysahead

11st 3lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Has form on most types of ground; hasn't lived up to expectations at this meeting for the last two years, beaten by Golden Ace in the Grade 2 novice hurdle in 2024 and only fourth (weakening when hampered) in this contest in 2025; otherwise a very smart mare and produced one of her best performances in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown (2m, heavy) most recently, reversing December placings with Lossiemouth and registering a fourth Grade 1 success; leading contender, provided she transfers the form to this venue.

9/2

1st

5

1st Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

15:20 Leopardstown

Brighterdaysahead

11st 5lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Beat State Man in last season's Morgiana and gave a stunning performance to win the December Hurdle here by a huge margin; nowhere near that level when a remote fourth in an incident-packed Champion Hurdle; failed to regain her best when raised in trip at Punchestown, well held in third behind two of Lossiemouth's stablemates; outpointed by Lossiemouth here at Christnas but finished close enough to suggest she can provide a powerful challenge.

13/8

9/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 2-1351 D

Last run: 88 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Perhaps too free for comfort when finishing 25l behind Brighterdaysahead at Down Royal in November (soft) but it takes some imagination to envisage her reversing that deficit, and she had luck on her side in winning a Listed race for mares at Thurles (yielding) after the favourite made a meal of the last flight; placed at best unless she can unearth something from somewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

16:50 Punchestown

Birdie Or Bust

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Henry De Bromhead

Very useful hurdler, two wins and third in 2024 Cheltenham Mares' Novices Hurdle; took a while to find her form over fences but won at Killarney and Listowel last year; second in Grade 3 novice here in October; never counted at Fairyhouse after a break.

16/1

9th

4

5th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 140y

16:25 Fairyhouse

Birdie Or Bust

11st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Very useful hurdler, two wins and third in 2024 Cheltenham Mares' Novices Hurdle; took a while to find her form over fences but won at Killarney and Listowel last year, absent since decent second in Grade 3 Punchestown novice in October; has run well fresh so respected on return although trip on the short side.

8/1

2nd

5

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 75y

15:35 Punchestown

Birdie Or Bust

10st 12lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Henry De Bromhead

Very useful hurdler, two wins and a third in the 2024 Cheltenham Mares' Novices Hurdle; took a while to find her form over fences before winning readily at Killarney in May; well beaten in fourth Grade 3 novice chase at Galway; had an excuse at Killarney, restored to form at Listowel; mares' allowance gives her a fighting chance against King Of Kingsfield.

13/8

Form: 1-11

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Out of an unraced half-sister to top-class 2m chaser Sire De Grugy; bought for 230,000euros after winning a French bumper on good to soft in October 2022; debut for this yard was a good while coming but she fairly danced home in her maiden at Leopardstown over Christmas (2m4f, heavy) and again moved with purpose throughout to win a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse (2m2f, soft) with similar authority; slick jumper with the gears for this sharper test and who knows how talented she is.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 118y

16:15 Punchestown

Jade De Grugy

11st 7lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Last year's winner took well to fences this season, finishing second in Limerick Grade 2 over Christmas before going one better in similar company at Thurles (2m5f, yielding) in January; right at her best back hurdling in Grade 1 Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham when a clear staying-on second to Wodhooh (beaten 1l) having allowed winner first run (good); cheekpieces now fitted for the rematch.

6/4

2nd

3

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Jade De Grugy

11st 5lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

5-7 over hurdles; second to stablemate Lossiemouth in this last year before a Grade 1 win at the Punchestown festival, her second success at the top level; has taken well to fences this winter, finishing second in Limerick Grade 2 over Christmas before going one better in similar company at Thurles (2m5f, yielding) in January; most consistent and looks sure to go well back hurdling.

11/4

1st

4

18th Jan 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 198y

14:15 Thurles

Jade De Grugy

10st 12lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

5-7 over hurdles; second to stablemate Lossiemouth at Cheltenham last March before Grade 1 win at the Punchestown festival, her second success at top level; jumped untidily at times and more broadly disappointing on chase debut at Cork; showed sufficient improvement when second at Limerick to suggest she can beat the winner's stablemate Tareze.

2/9

Form: 1

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £120,000 after romping home in a point; confirmed herself a nice prospect when following up in a maiden at Punchestown (2m4f, heavy) but the second that day is becoming frustrating and it's unlikely that she'll have the required pace to trouble the best in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

13

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

16:15 Punchestown

Majestic Force

10st 2lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

raced wide, towards rear

8/1

5th

13

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

16:15 Punchestown

Majestic Force

10st 2lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

raced wide, towards rear

8/1

Form: 36-1P1 D

Last run: 73 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful in bumpers without hinting at star potential; had excuses for her sole defeat over hurdles and won the other two at long odds-on (on soft and heavy); sold out of Gordon Elliott's yard, as part of the Caldwell dispersal sale, for 170,000euros and is sure to win races for new connections; however, highly doubtful that this will be one of them; wears a first-time tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

2nd May 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 94y

19:05 Punchestown

Mollys Mango

11st 7lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Three-time winner for Gordon Elliott; sold for 170,000Eur at the Caldwell dispersal sale in February; failed to cut much ice on her stable debut in the mares novice hurdle at Cheltenham; others preferred.

20/1

4

2nd May 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 94y

19:05 Punchestown

Mollys Mango

11st 7lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Three-time winner for Gordon Elliott; sold for 170,000Eur at the Caldwell dispersal sale in February; failed to cut much ice on her stable debut in the mares novice hurdle at Cheltenham; others preferred.

20/1

6th

9

14th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

16:50 Cheltenham

Mollys Mango

11st 2lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

took keen hold, held up in rear, not fluent 4 out

25/1

Form: 211113 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Made hay in novice hurdles last summer on good and good to soft ground; perhaps found the soft surface against her when a remote third against male opposition at Musselburgh (after a break) but there's nothing in her profile to suggest she can match the best of these.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

28th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

12:05 Newbury

Titanium Moon

11st 13lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Won four novice hurdles in a row in May-July 2023 but unable to reproduce that form on her two starts earlier this year, and she's returning from some more time off today; others have less to prove.

14/1

8th

3

28th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

12:05 Newbury

Titanium Moon

11st 13lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Won four novice hurdles in a row in May-July 2023 but unable to reproduce that form on her two starts earlier this year, and she's returning from some more time off today; others have less to prove.

14/1

7th

10

14th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

16:50 Cheltenham

Titanium Moon

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

took keen hold, towards rear, not fluent 2nd

66/1

Form: 121 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Wins at Ludlow (2m5f) and Sandown (2m) but probably her best form is the defeat at Warwick (2m3f, soft); talented mare with a future but she's making up the numbers at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

23rd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

16:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Victoria Milano

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won two novice hurdles (2m3f/2m) for Alistair Ralph in 2023-24; struggled in first three runs for current yard but she showed signs of a revival when third of 12 at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last Saturday; was no match for the first two in that race but her mark continues to fall and she looks worth another try at this trip; could be dangerous.

10/1

3rd

4

16th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

19:55 Uttoxeter

Victoria Milano

11st 12lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won two novice hurdles (2m3f/2m) for Alistair Ralph in 2023-24; rather disappointing since, including on her three starts for this yard after wind surgery last season (pulled up over fences last time); bit to prove.

8/1

5

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 4

15:55 Haydock

Victoria Milano

11st 5lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Well handicapped on some of her old hurdle form for Alastair Ralph but she looked held when falling in a 2m5f handicap hurdle here on her reappearance in January; down the field at Ludlow since and hard to know what to expect back chasing (well beaten on previous attempt).

20/1

Non-runners

Casa No Mento, Dysart Enos, Little Miss Dante

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £29.20
Straight Forecast £19.67
Tricast £90.57
Trifecta £147.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Brighterdaysahead

RP RATINGS:

Jade De Grugy

TOPSPEED:

Dysart Enos

The Guardian:

Jade De Grugy

D Express:

Jade De Grugy

Daily Mirror:

Jade De Grugy

POSTDATA:

Brighterdaysahead

Telegraph:

Brighterdaysahead

Daily Mail:

Brighterdaysahead

Daily Record:

Brighterdaysahead

WEST COUNTRY:

Dysart Enos

The Times:

Dysart Enos

The Star:

Dysart Enos