16.10
SoftClose Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle) (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £67524
- 2m 3f 200y
- Class 1
- 11 runners
Runners: 11 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
8/13 (Won)
- Win: £1.62
- Place: £1.40
Form: 1211-1 C
Last run: 45 days
W: 11st 5lb
5 yo Filly
OR: 155
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 7 |
1st May 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 45y |
11st 5lb |
One of three for trainer; prolific and highly talented mare justified decision to line up in this year's Champion Hurdle when adding a tenth Grade 1 win to her tally (14-18 overall) in good style; had both Anzadam and Golden Ace well behind her on that occasion; 3-3 at this venue, including when 19l in front of Glen Kiln in this season's Morgiana Hurdle; this looks easier than Cheltenham and she's ground-versatile; shock result if she doesn't win. |
4/9 |
|
1st 9 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 87y Class 1 |
11st 3lb |
Versatile as regards ground; prolific and highly talented mare whose record of 13-17 features nine Grade 1 wins, including three at this meeting (Triumph and two Mares' Hurdles); 4-4 at this venue overall; failed to justify favouritism in the Irish Champion Hurdle most recently but ran creditably without managing to confirm December placings with Brighterdaysahead; has less to prove than that rival back at Cheltenham and holds a big chance at the weights; wears headgear for the first time. |
13/8 |
|
2nd 6 |
1st Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
11st 5lb |
Winner of 13 of her 16 starts; bypassed the 2025 Champion Hurdle, instead winning the Mares' Hurdle readily; previously, fell mid-race in this race and beaten just over 2l by Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle; easy winner of Aintree Hurdle after Constitution Hill's fall; had a straightforward task in the Morgiana on return, and was too strong for the reappearing Brightedaysahead here at Christmas. |
10/11 |
14/1
- Place: £2.50
Form: 2F-342 C
Last run: 44 days
W: 11st 5lb
9 yo Mare
OR: 140
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 5 |
4th May 2024 Yielding 2m 4f 118y |
11st 7lb |
Right back to her best when putting in a game effort to finish runner-up to Lossiemouth in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham, with the other three rivals in this contest in behind; return to quicker ground is fine but hard to see how she turns the form around with Lossiemouth given how easily she won that contest. |
5/1 |
|
4th 5 |
4th May 2024 Yielding 2m 4f 118y |
11st 7lb |
Right back to her best when putting in a game effort to finish runner-up to Lossiemouth in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham, with the other three rivals in this contest in behind; return to quicker ground is fine but hard to see how she turns the form around with Lossiemouth given how easily she won that contest. |
5/1 |
|
2nd 9 |
12th Mar 2024 Soft 2m 3f 200y Class 1 |
11st 5lb |
in touch with leaders |
14/1 |
33/1
- Place: £6.90
Form: 16-161 D
Last run: 20 days
W: 11st 5lb
7 yo Mare
OR: 143
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 2 |
29th Dec 2024 Yielding 2m 4f 0y |
11st 3lb |
prominent early, prominent behind clear leaders after 2nd |
8/1 |
|
5th 2 |
29th Dec 2024 Yielding 2m 4f 0y |
11st 3lb |
prominent early, prominent behind clear leaders after 2nd |
8/1 |
|
3 |
4th May 2024 Yielding 2m 4f 118y |
11st 7lb |
French recruit who is unbeaten in two starts at this venue including a Grade 3 win in February; third behind Lossiemouth and Telmesomethinggirl at Cheltenham last time out; unproven on what could be quicker ground but place chance if she handles it. |
16/1 |
20/1
Form: 1-1
Last run: 24 days
W: 11st 5lb
6 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 6 |
22nd Jan 2026 Heavy 2m 7f 110y |
10st 10lb |
Lightly raced 7yo; won a 2m Grade 3 at this venue in February 2024; creditable fourth in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham following that; ran only twice last season; poor run when favourite for a beginners' chase at this venue on seasonal debut; not much better at big odds when sent back over hurdles at Punchestown. |
16/1 |
|
7th 10 |
21st Apr 2025 Soft To Heavy 2m 3f 180y |
10st 13lb |
Won the Grade 3 Red Mills Hurdle on just her second career start and highly tried in Grade 1s afterwards, finishing a good fourth to Lossiemouth in the 2m4f mares' race at Cheltenham last season; jumping failed to stand the test on her chase debut and she's respected back in this scene, especially as she's so lightly raced. |
7/1 |
|
7th 10 |
21st Apr 2025 Soft To Heavy 2m 3f 180y |
10st 13lb |
Won the Grade 3 Red Mills Hurdle on just her second career start and highly tried in Grade 1s afterwards, finishing a good fourth to Lossiemouth in the 2m4f mares' race at Cheltenham last season; jumping failed to stand the test on her chase debut and she's respected back in this scene, especially as she's so lightly raced. |
7/1 |
12/1
Form: 126-22 C
Last run: 45 days
W: 11st 5lb
8 yo Mare
OR: 149
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 7 |
12th Mar 2024 Soft 2m 3f 200y Class 1 |
11st 5lb |
towards rear |
12/1 |
|
2nd 5 |
27th Jan 2024 Good To Soft 2m 0f 179y Class 1 |
11st 1lb |
Raced mainly on soft/heavy (withdrawn due to good ground once); smart mare whose record is 8-12 and who performed very well (first/second) at the last two Cheltenham Festivals; may be back on song with Sandown reappearance under her belt; has the best chance at the weights. |
3/1 |
|
2nd 5 |
9th Dec 2023 Soft 1m 7f 216y Class 1 |
11st 3lb |
Picked up a stress fracture at Punchestown (soundly beaten) when last seen but has made a full recovery; has a solid/progressive record (at 2m-2m5f) otherwise and career record is 8-11; ran well behind Honeysuckle in a strong Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival (soft) two starts ago; 3-3 at Sandown, including a win on this card last year; remains of major interest. |
13/2 |
20/1
Form: 23-133 D BF
Last run: 20 days
W: 11st 5lb
5 yo Filly
OR: 146
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 2 |
3rd May 2025 Yielding 2m 4f 118y |
11st 7lb |
in touch with leaders, went third 3 out, stayed on and went second towards finish, no match for winner |
11/1 |
|
2nd 2 |
3rd May 2025 Yielding 2m 4f 118y |
11st 7lb |
in touch with leaders, went third 3 out, stayed on and went second towards finish, no match for winner |
11/1 |
|
2nd 12 |
21st Apr 2025 Soft To Heavy 2m 3f 180y |
10st 10lb |
Runner-up in the 2023 Triumph; finished behind Lantry Lady in last season's Grade 1 Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham and was out the back when falling three out in last month's renewal; only third in a Listed hurdle at Warwick the time before, so current wellbeing is an issue. |
7/1 |
20/1
Form: 5-1323 C BF
Last run: 24 days
W: 11st 5lb
7 yo Mare
OR: 144
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
8th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 5f 0y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
Below her best this season but has been running over fences and chasing doesn't appear to suit; won two Grade 2 mares' novice hurdles in early 2023 (2m4f/2m1f, good to soft/soft) and second in a mares' Grade 2 last January (3m, good); could bounce back with big run now reverting to hurdles. |
5/1 |
|
1 |
8th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 5f 0y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
Below her best this season but has been running over fences and chasing doesn't appear to suit; won two Grade 2 mares' novice hurdles in early 2023 (2m4f/2m1f, good to soft/soft) and second in a mares' Grade 2 last January (3m, good); could bounce back with big run now reverting to hurdles. |
5/1 |
|
4th 4 |
17th Jan 2025 Soft 2m 0f 33y Class 1 |
10st 9lb |
raced in last, mistake 5th, mistake and struggling 7th, jumped left 3 out, never dangerous |
4/1 |
11/2
Form: 311-31 D
Last run: 45 days
W: 11st 5lb
7 yo Mare
OR: 144
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
4th May 2024 Yielding 2m 4f 118y |
11st 7lb |
Steadily progressive mare before pulling up behind Lossiemouth in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham; goes on any ground and will be in the mix for minor honours. |
16/1 |
|
3rd 1 |
4th May 2024 Yielding 2m 4f 118y |
11st 7lb |
Steadily progressive mare before pulling up behind Lossiemouth in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham; goes on any ground and will be in the mix for minor honours. |
16/1 |
|
1 |
12th Mar 2024 Soft 2m 3f 200y Class 1 |
11st 5lb |
took keen hold, led |
11/2 |
25/1
Form: 41-234 D
Last run: 37 days
W: 11st 5lb
8 yo Mare
OR: 152
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
12th Mar 2024 Soft 2m 3f 200y Class 1 |
11st 5lb |
in rear |
25/1 |
|
4th 5 |
4th Feb 2024 Soft 2m 0f 0y |
11st 5lb |
raced in third, outpaced when dropped to rear home turn, soon no impression |
20/1 |
|
3rd 4 |
29th Dec 2023 Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
11st 5lb |
held up in rear, disputing third when not fluent 4th |
9/1 |
14/1
Form: 72-421 CD
Last run: 44 days
W: 11st 5lb
9 yo Mare
OR: 150
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 6 (6) |
10th Oct 2024 Soft 1m 6f 0y Class 1 |
9st 6lb |
awkward start, in touch with leaders, headway and prominent over 3f out, led over 2f out, faced challenge over 1f out, headed inside final 110yds, just held |
6/1 |
|
5th 4 (4) |
25th May 2024 Good To Soft 1m 5f 188y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
dwelt start, towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong |
12/1 |
|
5th 4 (4) |
25th May 2024 Good To Soft 1m 5f 188y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
dwelt start, towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong |
12/1 |
100/1
Form: 63-3F5 C
Last run: 44 days
W: 11st 5lb
7 yo Mare
OR: 141
| 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 |
11st 5lb |
pressed leaders |
100/1 |
|
5th 4 |
28th Jan 2024 Good 3m 0f 84y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
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 |
12st 0lb |
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 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £22.00 |
| Straight Forecast | £21.74 |
| Tricast | £324.19 |
| Trifecta | £613.10 |