December 10 / 15.35 Cheltenham

15.35

Good

Molson Coors Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 2m 4f 56y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
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Molson Coors Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB  Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain and snow

OUR TIP

Form: 23F2-6 CD

Last run: 42 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in this race in 2019 and 2021 and she won at the Festival in 2020; ended last season looking as good as ever and ran creditably in a Flat start in November, but she has disappointed since in a Grade 2 at Wetherby (a race she won last year) and handicap here yesterday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

11th Feb 2023

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:05 Warwick

Indefatigable

11st 8lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: Paul Webber

led before 2 out, pressed leader when headed 2nd, lost two places 6th, ridden after 8th, went third before 2 out, stayed on but no match for first two

20/1

5

4th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

14:55 Sandown

Indefatigable

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Paul Webber

An admirable mare over many seasons but she has failed to beat a rival in her two runs this term and looked badly out of sorts last time.

33/1

Form: 117-22 CD BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Held off Indefatigable by a neck in this race last year (both off same marks as today) and creditable second on both outings this season (2m and 3m); can be seriously involved again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

15th Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

18:50 Worcester

Martello Sky

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Dr Richard Newland

Ex-Lucy Wadham; useful hurdler; runner-up to a subsequent winner in a two-runner 3m novice handicap on chase/stable debut at Uttoxeter (good, lost a shoe); possibly better at this shorter trip; chance

11/4

2nd

1

28th May 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:20 Uttoxeter

Martello Sky

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Dr Richard Newland

raced in second and pressed leader, led from 9th, clear after 14th, jumped slightly right from 15th, shaken up after 3 out, ridden when headed last, no extra run-in

8/11

19th

10

14th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Martello Sky

11st 5lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Lucy Wadham

Faced very tough task when second of five to subsequent Cheltenham Festival runner-up Love Envoi at Sandown (2m4f, soft) in January and 2m on good ground proved too sharp at Doncaster last time; the last time she ran in a handicap she won at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) in December 2021 and she's 3lb lower today; this should be run to suit and she could be a player.

14/1

Form: 3111-U CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
4-9, easily won a Listed race over C&D (good ground) in April for her fourth hurdles win; unseated early on recent reappearance but she's only a 5yo and not fully exposed at this sort of trip, so it would be no surprise were she to put that behind her with an improved show.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

12th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

16:10 Cheltenham

Theatre Glory

11st 5lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

pressed leaders

100/1

5th

4

28th Jan 2024

Good

3m 0f 84y

Class 1

14:35 Doncaster

Theatre Glory

11st 6lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nicky Henderson

Useful at up to 2m5f and has Graded form; running respectably when final-flight faller in Cheltenham handicap most recently; some of her relatives have 3m form and she shapes accordingly; interesting upped in distance.

11/2

0

1

16th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Theatre Glory

12st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Won here in April 2022 and creditable sixth of nine when 50-1 in the Grade 1 Mares' Hurdle here (2m4f, soft) this March; not disgraced on Ascot reappearance, despite being only third of five as favourite, but might not be well enough handicapped to win this.

5/1

Form: 1/111-

Last run: 291 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Unbeaten in a bumper and three novice events over hurdles, all on good to soft ground; twice withdrawn last month due to the ground (good to firm and soft); needs improvement on this handicap debut but she won easily over 2m3f at Taunton in February last time out, improvement in her jumping would help and it remains to be seen how good she could be.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

18th Apr 2024

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

15:15 Cheltenham

Lady Adare

11st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Harry Fry

Has had three wind operations, the latest last May after a poor run at this meeting; won chase debut at Worcester in October and very good second in Grade 2 novice at Wincanton one month later, both at 2m4f, but a nine-day gap before latest start was seemingly insufficient as she ran poorly (2m1f); off 150 days since and needs improvement but could still have more to offer.

4/1

7th

1

18th Apr 2024

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

15:15 Cheltenham

Lady Adare

11st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Harry Fry

Has had three wind operations, the latest last May after a poor run at this meeting; won chase debut at Worcester in October and very good second in Grade 2 novice at Wincanton one month later, both at 2m4f, but a nine-day gap before latest start was seemingly insufficient as she ran poorly (2m1f); off 150 days since and needs improvement but could still have more to offer.

4/1

Form: 02-2F5 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Out of her depth at the Festival here in March; looked in good form in her four starts since and the latest was at this track last month when 19l fifth of 13 in the Greatwood; return to 2m4f should be fine but she needs to find extra if she's to win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

31st Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 2

13:50 Newbury

Nina The Terrier

10st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Alan King

Has three hurdles wins to her name and she's looked as good as ever this season, far from disgraced when fifth of 13 in the Greatwood at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) in November; this race is probably less competitive and returning to 2m4f may suit; each-way claims.

9/1

5th

7

13th Nov 2022

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

14:55 Cheltenham

Nina The Terrier

11st 3lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

raced wide, midfield, good headway and prominent 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden last (usual 2 out), weakened and lost two places inside final furlong

14/1

Form: -01U54

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 5lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Eighth hurdles win came in June but she's not been at her best on either start since, the latest at 2m5f and she has not proved herself over this far; 9yo who probably needs a career best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

28th Jan 2023

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 1

14:05 Doncaster

Peltwell

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Neil Mulholland

Won seven races in a row in 2021 and she was back on the scoresheet in a handicap at Newton Abbot last June; however, she hasn't been at her best since and this 10yo would be a shock winner here.

100/1

7

26th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 3

12:18 Wincanton

Peltwell

10st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Neil Mulholland

Eight-time winning hurdler but below her best since returning from a break; soft ground would not look ideal for her chase debut.

20/1

1

20th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 3

13:25 Plumpton

Peltwell

12st 0lb

J: Thomasina Eyston

T: Neil Mulholland

Enhanced her very healthy strike-rate when winning a four-runner mares' handicap at Newton Abbot in June but she hasn't been at her best on her two runs this autumn and has to raise her game; best form on good/good to soft.

16/1

Form: 32-111 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 4lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Had wind surgery in September and has since been unbeaten in novice hurdles at Ludlow (2m5f) and Taunton (2m3f) and a five-runner handicap at Taunton (3m); all were on good or good to firm; the front two finished 21l clear last time and she has been raised just 4lb; could be well handicapped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

17th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 2

15:32 Uttoxeter

I Spy A Diva

10st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Four-time hurdle winner; returned from 688-day absence with low-key run on soft ground in April and absent for another six months since; ought to be better suited by the quicker conditions here but her current ability is hard to gauge.

16/1

Form: -12343 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 4lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Enjoyed a consistent spell of form over hurdles and fences between February and June; stretched by 2m7f penultimate start (July) and ran respectably on latest (one month ago) but may prove vulnerable in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

8th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

15:15 Sedgefield

Could Be Trouble

11st 13lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Scored at Haydock (2m5f) in March and largely in good nick since, though she beat only one in 2m4f Worcester handicap hurdle 33 days ago; she's the sort to bounce back.

14/1

7

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Worcester

Could Be Trouble

11st 3lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

First-time visor and enjoyed a soft lead when winning at Haydock (2m5f, good) in March; bumped into one when second last time but that still completed a subsequent run of double-figure defeats.

9/1

Form: 411-51 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won 2m3f novice hurdles at Doncaster in March and Chepstow (good) in April; below form on handicap/seasonal debut but made winning start over fences at Catterick (3m1f, soft; finished alone in three-runner race) 12 days ago; precise merit of the latter is hard to pin down but she is just 3lb higher here (2lb out of the handicap) and it could have been an improved effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

15th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:50 Southwell

Herewegohoney

11st 13lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

soon led, not fluent 3rd, hit 9th

12/1

5th

1

15th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:50 Southwell

Herewegohoney

11st 13lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Badly out of form over hurdles and fences since returning last summer from a layoff; lurks on a dangerous mark and will be suited by today's trip/ground but needs to turn a corner.

12/1

5th

3

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Herewegohoney

11st 8lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

raced in fourth, not fluent and dropped to last 7th, mistake 4 out, weakened before 2 out

8/1

Form: 243112 D BF

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Four starts for new connections, including two 2m4f handicap wins at Worcester (good/soft); the second of those was by 22l but she was beaten off her revised mark at Lingfield next time (albeit miles clear of the third) and is another 5lb higher today (out of the handicap); probably needs better still.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

12th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 3

12:30 Sandown

Branson Missouri

11st 3lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Shaun Lycett

pressed leaders, stumbled 1st, prominent 2nd, dropped to last and struggling 6th, mistake 3 out, headway 2 out, went second approaching last, stayed on but no match for winner

9/1

4th

4

7th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 1

12:40 Sandown

Branson Missouri

11st 4lb

J: Tom Scudamore

T: Shaun Lycett

held up in rear, mistake 1st, not fluent 3rd, mistake 5 out, ridden and weakened after 3 out, tailed off

50/1

Verdict

Last year’s winner Martello Sky has the same mark and should go very well. However, she may prove vulnerable to THEATRE GLORY who is less exposed but already very successful, having won four of her five starts over hurdles last term, the last of them over C&D. An early parting of the ways with her jockey at Newbury two weeks ago prevented her from showing what she could do starting off in this second season. I Spy A Diva is another to note.[Richard Austen]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Theatre Glory

RP Ratings:

Martello Sky

WEST COUNTRY:

Lady Adare

POSTDATA:

Nina The Terrier

TOPSPEED:

Theatre Glory

LAMBOURN:

Theatre Glory

The Times:

Theatre Glory

Telegraph:

Theatre Glory

The Guardian:

Theatre Glory

Daily Mail:

Theatre Glory

D Express:

Theatre Glory

Daily Record:

Lady Adare

The Star:

Nina The Terrier

Daily Mirror:

Martello Sky

The Sun:

Martello Sky