December 14 / 15.35 Cheltenham

15.35

Good To Soft

BetMGM Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 2m 4f 56y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
ITV
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BetMGM Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.30
  • Place: £2.50

Form: 11111-

Last run: 322 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
0-4 on Flat for Sir Michael Stoute but 5-5 over hurdles last season; ended with comfortable juvenile Listed wins over 2m when red-hot favourite at Newbury and Doncaster; this race is a lot more competitive and the new trip is not nailed on to suit but that unbeaten hurdles record needs respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 118y

16:15 Punchestown

Wodhooh

11st 7lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Has won 10 of her 11 hurdle starts, including this term in Grade 2 Ascot Hurdle, Grade 3 mares' contest at Leopardstown over Christmas and 2m5f Grade 1 Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham, getting first run on Jade De Grugy going to the last when beating that rival 1l (good); first run here since winning as a 3yo and deserved favourite but could be pushed very close by Jade De Grugy.

4/6

1st

7

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Wodhooh

11st 5lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Has won nine of her ten hurdle starts (including last year's Martin Pipe over C&D), with her only defeat coming at the hands of Lossiemouth in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle (2m4f, good to soft) last spring; has looked every bit as good when landing Grade 2 Ascot Hurdle (2m3f, good to soft) and a 2m4f Grade 3 at Leopardstown's Christmas meeting (gave weight and beat Feet Of A Dancer just over 2l) this season; will be hard to beat.

4/5

2nd

7

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Aintree

Wodhooh

11st 3lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

towards rear, pecked on landing 5th

6/1

2/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 1/1-3

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Dam half-sister to Champion Hurdle winner Epatante who's by the same sire as this mare; 235,000euros buy after winning her French bumper in 2022 and also took a maiden hurdle at Taunton (2m, soft) this January when next seen; could not get to grips with the first two in six-runner race at Ascot (1m7f, good) three weeks ago but it was a solid return and she brings notable potential to this handicap debut over new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

5

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Joyeuse

11st 11lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Useful mare whose handicap form at about 2m features a prestigious win last term and respectable third, with cheekpieces fitted, at the latest Cheltenham Festival (soft); ran well behind a very notable rival in one of her 2m4f attempts; likely player in the retained headgear and back up in trip.

7/1

3rd

16

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Joyeuse

10st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Impressive winner of top handicap hurdle at Newbury (2m, soft) last February; her progress has stalled since (including beaten favourite over fences in first two runs this season) but she was better than latest last of four to reopposing Ooh Betty in Ascot Grade 2 mares' hurdle (1m7f, soft) suggests, challenging when making a hash of the last; dropped another 3lb on the back of that and could have a say if reacting well to first-time headgear.

11/1

4th

1

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 157y

Class 1

13:40 Ascot

Joyeuse

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Impressive winner of major handicap at Newbury (2m, soft) last February; beaten favourite over fences first two outings this season and a bit disappointing in warm C&D handicap back over hurdles last month, but it's far too soon to be writing her off and she'd be very dangerous on last season's form.

7/2

OUR TIP

11/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: -14315 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Won at 3m1f/2m7f in the spring but her excellent third in useful handicap in October was over an extended 2m3f and her 10l Listed win at Wetherby last month was over 2m; outclassed in the Fighting Fifth two weeks ago but not discredited; should run well but, off top weight, may find one or two too good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

12

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Take No Chances

11st 3lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Not at the top of her game in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last month but this sort of trip may be her optimum; neck second to Strong Leader at Wetherby (3m, good) in November and creditable third behind Impose Toi and Strong Leader in another Grade 2 at Newbury (3m, soft) later that month; ran well here 12 months ago; each-way claims if back on song.

25/1

4th

6

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Take No Chances

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won Grade 2 mares' event at Ascot before finishing third to Lossiemouth in this and the Aintree Hurdle (Wodhooh 8l ahead in second) last spring; has slightly bettered those RPRs in defeat on all four outings this season and she's an each-way player again.

9/1

3rd

3

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Take No Chances

11st 1lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won Grade 2 mares' hurdle at Ascot (1m7f, good) last January and she's looked better than ever when running really well in defeat against males in Grade 2s at Wetherby (3m, good) and Newbury (3m, soft) on last two starts; she'll be fine now back down in trip and may well be in the mix.

3/1

Form: 43-472

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Ex-French; second in the 2m4f mares' chase at this meeting last year off 3lb higher was her best show from 12 starts in Britain but she was not far off that when runner-up again at Ascot (2m7f) over hurdles three weeks ago; that confirms she is back in serious each-way calculations despite 4lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Royale Margaux

11st 8lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

A bit out of her depth in the Grade 2 Mares' Chase here in March but she's a consistent hurdler who ran up to her best the time before in winning a Listed race (2m5f, soft); should go well, but perhaps vulnerable to rivals on kinder marks.

10/1

5th

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Royale Margaux

11st 8lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

A bit out of her depth in the Grade 2 Mares' Chase here in March but she's a consistent hurdler who ran up to her best the time before in winning a Listed race (2m5f, soft); should go well, but perhaps vulnerable to rivals on kinder marks.

10/1

6th

8

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Royale Margaux

11st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

held up in rear

33/1

Form: 1106-1 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Usually held up these days; upped to 2m4f when sixth of 16 here (good) in April, in fourth when she blundered at the last; proved her stamina with a smooth win in six-runner race at Warwick (2m5f, good to soft) on reappearance and is one to consider despite 5lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 3

14:40 Exeter

Georgi Girl

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Four wins (2m/2m5f) over hurdles, the last one off 2lb higher; 0-8 since switched to fences but ran well at Ludlow (2m4f, soft) most recently, pulling clear of the third; fighting chance.

9/4

2nd

4

18th Feb 2026

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

15:05 Ludlow

Georgi Girl

11st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Didn't run badly when fourth of nine at Windsor (2m4f, soft) last month and she continues to edge down the weights; however, she needs something extra today's if she's to break her chasing duck at the eighth attempt.

11/1

4th

5

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 42y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Georgi Girl

11st 7lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Has slipped to 2lb below last winning hurdles mark but seems far from certain to take advantage, being a fairly exposed mare who has failed to show her form in two starts this season, taking chase record to 0-6; faces some progressive opponents.

16/1

Form: 11-4

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won early this year on first two hurdle/stable starts (2m/1m7f, soft) and did it easily on the second occasion; back hurdling when beaten 21l by Take No Chances off level weights at Wetherby, so needs to have come on massively since; new trip is not sure to suit and she is hooded first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

1st Jan 2025

Good

2m 3f 171y

Class 2

13:45 Musselburgh

Sweet Fantasy

11st 10lb

J: Mr Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

towards rear but in touch with leaders, smooth headway after 4 out, challenging when mistake 2 out, edged right and weakened run-in

100/30

4th

3

1st Jan 2025

Good

2m 3f 171y

Class 2

13:45 Musselburgh

Sweet Fantasy

11st 10lb

J: Mr Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

towards rear but in touch with leaders, smooth headway after 4 out, challenging when mistake 2 out, edged right and weakened run-in

100/30

6th

2

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Sweet Fantasy

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: James Owen

held up in last, kept on run-in, nearest finish

14/1

Form: P313-1 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Handicap debut at Plumpton (2m4f, soft) in February was her one win from five races last term but, following wind surgery, she raised her game to make a winning start to this campaign in 17-runner race at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) three weeks ago; that was tenacious and she is one to take seriously despite 8lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 1

17:05 Market Rasen

Molto Bene

11st 4lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Launched chasing career with two wins in the autumn (2m4f/2m7f) and came second in two subsequent Listed races (hurdle/chase); lost out only narrowly to a next-time-out winner when back in a handicap at Leicester (2m4f, good to soft) last month and has a fighting chance here.

3/1

2nd

1

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 4

16:00 Leicester

Molto Bene

12st 2lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Won handicaps in the autumn on first two chase starts (2m4f/2m7f, good/good to soft) and runner-up in Listed races on both outings since, over hurdles at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) and fences at Newbury (2m7f, good to soft); leading claims back in handicap company.

10/11

Form: 221-15 CD BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
3-14 over hurdles, making all in a useful 16-runner handicap over C&D (good) at the end of last season and following up at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) in October; good fifth at Wincanton (2m5f) five weeks ago and, while that might not suggest she is the best handicapped, she needs a close look as an improver; trainer won this race in 2020 and 2021.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

23rd Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 2

15:30 Warwick

Pretending

11st 4lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Third to Greyval 12 months ago off the same mark; hadn't been at her best this season but came good at Market Rasen (2m4f, soft) and clearly capable of having some say in the outcome.

6/1

1st

6

17th Feb 2026

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

15:02 Market Rasen

Pretending

11st 8lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Exposed mare who hasn't been quite at her best this season, but is on a good mark (3lb lower than for last win); has an each-way chance.

14/1

4th

5

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 116y

Class 3

14:50 Plumpton

Pretending

11st 3lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Rather hit and miss since her last win (2m4f, good to soft) in October 2024 and she was pulled up at Fakenham eight days ago; back on her last winning mark but has a bit to prove at present.

12/1

Form: 1P4-13 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
It's not been plain sailing for much of her 11-race hurdle career but she won a handicap at Doncaster (good to soft) in January by 25l and added a clearcut win at Aintree (good; 7lb higher today) in May, both at about 2m4f; may have needed the race behind Georgi Girl at Warwick last month and could be a lot more interesting again this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Aintree

Masked Dance

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Won this two years ago and was only a short-head away last year; higher in the weights now but had been in career best form until last run which was in a strong handicap; has to be feared.

7/1

6th

8

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 50y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Masked Dance

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Better than ever in her last three starts over 2m5f and 3m; highly likely to run another solid race but this is stronger than she's accustomed to.

12/1

2nd

1

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 3

14:42 Ludlow

Masked Dance

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

In career-best form this season, winning from the front here (2m5f, good to soft) in December before clear second to Magical Maggie over that trip here (soft) three weeks ago; will be on the premises again if suited by today's extra distance.

4/1

Form: 2223-5 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
All her wins came in novice events two winters back; best of last season's runs came on final start when third of 16 to Pretending over C&D and she made a satisfactory reappearance six weeks ago, but she still looks vulnerable to an improver.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

7th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

12:50 Kempton

Endless Escape

12st 0lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Ben Clarke

Disappointing favourite returned to chasing last time, extending her losing run; nicely treated on best form but chance largely depends on how well she responds to new headgear.

13/2

6th

1

7th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

12:50 Kempton

Endless Escape

12st 0lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Ben Clarke

Disappointing favourite returned to chasing last time, extending her losing run; nicely treated on best form but chance largely depends on how well she responds to new headgear.

13/2

Form: 122P-5

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
All starts have been on softer than good; her 2m novice wins were on heavy going and she's since proved herself over 2m3f-2m4f, including when never dangerous on chase/seasonal debut (having bled on final start last term); needs improvement but this is just her second season jumping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 1

17:05 Market Rasen

Lunar Discovery

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Seemingly back in prime form when beating a subsequent Cheltenham winner at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) in December but wasn't at same level when weakening third at Stratford (2m6f, good) last month, after a break, and needs that recent run to have brought her on.

8/1

3rd

2

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Lunar Discovery

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Running well over fences for her current yard this season and opened chase account in 2m3f Chepstow handicap in December (race has thrown up three subsequent winners); big shout given she has gone well after a break too.

13/8

5th

1

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

14:23 Newton Abbot

Lunar Discovery

12st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

0-6 over fences and has made a few jumping errors, but has also shown ability including in both starts for this yard; back down in grade and cheekpieces are given a go, but this sharp 2m may not be a sufficient test for her now.

4/1

Form: 2-0462

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Not disgraced in two of her three chases and the return to hurdling may help, but she needs a peak effort and there's a fair amount to prove judged on her four appearances over 2m1f+, one of them at an extended 2m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Greyval

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £51.70
Straight Forecast £37.23
Tricast £137.15
Trifecta £240.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Joyeuse

TOPSPEED:

Take No Chances

RP RATINGS:

Endless Escape

Daily Record:

Wodhooh

POSTDATA:

Royale Margaux

Telegraph:

Joyeuse

Daily Mail:

Joyeuse

D Express:

Joyeuse

The Star:

Joyeuse

The Times:

Take No Chances

The Sun:

Take No Chances

WEST COUNTRY:

Endless Escape

Daily Mirror:

Endless Escape