March 09 / 16.35 Hereford

16.35

Soft

cheltenhamfestival.com Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Mares’ Hurdle Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £4066.37
  • 2m 0f 53y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
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cheltenhamfestival.com Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Mares’ Hurdle Series Qualifier)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

100/30 (Won)

  • Win: £6.70
  • Place: £2.50

Form: 34-228 D BF

Last run: 117 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Began chasing career with two good runs in the autumn (2m4f/2m2f); off disappointing effort in November (jumped poorly) and now reverts to hurdling but her current mark is workable and drying ground will aid her cause.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

7th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 4

14:45 Huntingdon

Notnowlinda

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Yet to match peak form since returning from long absence in the autumn but her third in first-time cheekpieces at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) in late March was a pretty good effort, and she'll be fine on the forecast good ground here.

6/4

3rd

3

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

14:35 Uttoxeter

Notnowlinda

11st 9lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

In good form in spring of 2024; returned from long absence with two low-key runs in November but, after another break, she ran well to a point when fifth of 13 at Haydock (2m3f, good to soft) three weeks ago; continues to drop down the weights and she's not ruled out with cheekpieces added.

5/1

9/4

  • Place: £1.20

Form: -22522 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Four-time hurdle winner; runner-up on four of her five appearances this season, most recently when losing out only narrowly at Kempton (2m, soft) last month; 3lb rise puts her on new career-high mark but she ought to make her presence felt again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

19:20 Stratford

Amelias Dance

12st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Robert Walford

Runner-up five times last season but not at best when well-held fourth at Taunton (2m, soft) in March; pulled up after a bad early mistake at Kempton last month.

5/1

5th

1

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

19:20 Stratford

Amelias Dance

12st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Robert Walford

led, pressed leader when headed 2nd, led last (usual 2 out), headed home turn, weakened final 110yds

5/1

4

22nd Apr 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton

Amelias Dance

11st 12lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

midfield, bad mistake and almost fell 3rd, soon pulled up quickly

14/1

Form: 551231 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
2-6 for new stable this season, the latter win gained in good style at Wincanton (1m7f, soft) ten days ago; effectively 10lb higher from 3lb out of the weights today but still respected in current mood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 2f 208y

Class 4

16:40 Hereford

Passing Kate

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

Won two soft-ground chases (both 2m3f) in early 2025 and has posted some good efforts in defeat this season; looked laboured and was below form here (2m, soft) last month but can be dangerous off current mark if back on song in first-time cheekpieces.

7/2

4th

4

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 4

15:00 Hereford

Passing Kate

11st 6lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Matt Sheppard

Won three times last season on soft/heavy ground; runner-up on first three starts this term then fifth at Exeter (2m1f, good to soft) 17 days ago when three places behind Royal Mer; today's forecast slow ground could aid her cause.

9/4

1st

6

22nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

14:00 Chepstow

Passing Kate

10st 10lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Matt Sheppard

Three-time hurdle winner who kept on well to make winning chase debut at Exeter (2m1f, soft) last month; pulled up at Wincanton since, having made made jumping errors at consecutive fences, but still has scope to for further progress in this sphere.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: P/P0P- D

Last run: 350 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
3-3 over hurdles in France in 2021; well beaten on all four subsequent starts for Venetia Williams, most recently when pulled up in Bangor handicap last March, but has dropped a long way down the weights and can't be written off just yet.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

30th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 3

14:52 Taunton

Fautinette

11st 6lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

raced in last, outpaced early, switched left and headway from 4th, pressed leader after 5th, led 7th, 2 lengths ahead last, stayed on when headed towards finish

6/1

2nd

4

30th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 3

14:52 Taunton

Fautinette

11st 6lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

Absent since below-par effort in French event (2m3f) six months ago; made all at Cartmel (3m1f) the time before, opening her British account on sole attempt beyond 2m5f; unexposed at this sort of distance.

6/1

11

27th Dec 2024

Good

3m 0f 121y

Class 2

13:20 Kempton

Fautinette

9st 11lb

T: Venetia Williams

Form: -51596 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner in Ireland for Henry de Bromhead (2m/2m3f); changed hands after poor run in September and also looked out of sorts on recent stable debut; may yet come good for Dan Skelton but others have much less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

9th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 4

13:50 Huntingdon

Cottie

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

prominent

10/1

8th

8

9th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 4

13:50 Huntingdon

Cottie

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

prominent

10/1

9th

12

18th Apr 2024

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:40 Cheltenham

Cottie

10st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

2-21 in Ireland, mostly for Henry de Bromhead and with latest win last June (made most); not nearly so good in her three runs for new yard but latest defeat was not as heavy and Irish record suggests that a return to better ground would be very much in her favour; title-challenging stable has made some telling strikes in handicaps this spring and she is one to note.

4/1

Form: 79P78

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Unable to land a significant blow when 33-1 for last month's handicap debut at Taunton (2m3f, soft) and effectively 18lb higher from out of the weights here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: -75450

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Competitive off lowly marks for Alastair Ralph last summer but soundly beaten on last month's stable debut at Taunton (2m3f, soft) and now 0-9 over hurdles; 16lb out of the weights today; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

22nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Worcester

Citizen Jane

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Lawney Hill

Won her third point when beating two rivals in April; made an encouraging stable/chase debut when second at Stratford (extended 2m3f, good to firm) last month but may have done too much without the hood when fading into fourth over 2m6f there ten days ago; reverts to hurdles from out of the weights and others make greater appeal.

20/1

4th

10

12th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:00 Stratford

Citizen Jane

10st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Lawney Hill

Landed her third point in May; finished a modest second on her chase/stable debut here (2m3f, good to firm) 13 days ago; runs without hood worn on last four starts; has more on her plate here.

8/1

2nd

7

29th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

15:10 Stratford

Citizen Jane

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Lawney Hill

Triple point winner who scored in that sphere on her penultimate run; now switches to regulation fences but she's 0-12 over hurdles and this looks tough from out of the weights.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.50
Straight Forecast £15.75
Trifecta £25.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Amelia's Dance

RP RATINGS:

Passing Kate

The Times:

Passing Kate

D Express:

Passing Kate

The Sun:

Passing Kate

The Star:

Passing Kate

Daily Record:

Passing Kate

TOPSPEED:

Amelia's Dance

POSTDATA:

Amelia's Dance

WEST COUNTRY:

Amelia's Dance

Telegraph:

Amelia's Dance

The Guardian:

Amelia's Dance

Daily Mail:

Amelia's Dance

Daily Mirror:

Amelia's Dance