March 11 / 15.20 Cheltenham

15.20

Good To Soft

Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle) (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £69887.34
  • 2m 3f 200y
  • Class 1
  • 10 runners
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Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle) (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

4/6 (Won)

  • Win: £1.67
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 1-112F CD BF

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 160

Form & Verdict
Successful at the last two Cheltenham Festivals, latterly a ready winner of this on heavy ground; took her 2m4f record to 3-3 (all Grade 1s) when proving too strong for Teahupoo in the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse (yielding) on reappearance in November; second to Constitution Hill back at 2m in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton next time and narrowly ahead of State Man when departing four out in the Irish Champion at Leopardstown last month; hard to beat if none the worse for that heavy tumble.
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

18:40 Punchestown

Lossiemouth

11st 5lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

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

16:00 Cheltenham

Lossiemouth

11st 3lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

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

15:20 Leopardstown

Lossiemouth

11st 5lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

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

5/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 1141-1 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 151

Form & Verdict
This classy mare's only defeat from five starts for Willie Mullins was when fourth to Golden Ace in the Dawn Run at this meeting last year; relished the step back up in trip when a dominant winner of a Grade 1 mares' novice at Fairyhouse (2m4f, heavy) on her final start last season and she returned to give weight and a beating to five rivals in the Grade 3 Quevega at Punchestown (2m4f, soft) 19 days ago; further progress is likely and she can give stablemate Lossiemouth most to do.
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

20/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 431531 D

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Consistent mare who has won Listed and Grade 2 events over 2m this season, seeing off Kargese at Ascot for the latter; just as effective over this trip but probably no more than a place contender.
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: -21531 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
Placed in two Grade 1 novice hurdles last spring (2m4f, heavy/yielding) and won a Listed mares' hurdle at Limerick (2m7f, good) in October; below par when 16l third to July Flower at Leopardstown over Christmas but back to her best in first-time cheekpieces (retained today) when narrow winner of a Doncaster Grade 2 (3m, good to soft) in January.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:05 Punchestown

Jetara

11st 3lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Mrs John Harrington

Third in this event last year after taking the same place in Aintree Grade 1; has failed to match that form this season and has slumped 9lb in the ratings in 12 months; tailed off in Leopardstown Grade 1 won by Teahupoo; moderate fifth behind Wodhooh; a lot to prove now but could surprise.

25/1

5th

4

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Jetara

11st 5lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Mrs John Harrington

Smart mare who was an 11l fourth to Lossiemouth in this 12 months ago before finishing third in 3m Grade 1s at Aintree and Punchestown later in the spring; hasn't quite hit the same heights this season, including 9l third to Feet Of A Dancer and Dream On Baby in Doncaster Grade 2 latest; vulnerable even if back to her very best in a change of headgear (first-time blinkers replace cheekpieces).

25/1

3rd

1

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 1

13:30 Doncaster

Jetara

11st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mrs John Harrington

Smart staying mare who won this race 12 months ago (good to soft) in game style and made the frame in three Grade 1s at the spring festivals afterwards; ran poorly against the geldings at Leopardstown four weeks ago but would have a big chance if returning to her best.

11/4

Form: 223-31 D

Last run: 72 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Only ninth to Dysart Enos in an Aintree Grade 2 bumper in her first spell with Henry de Bromhead but did well over hurdles back in France subsequently (third in French Champion Hurdle in May) and improved again returned to this yard when beating Kala Conti by 4l to win a Leopardstown Grade 3 (good to yielding) in December; interesting runner for a yard with a good recent record in this (they won it twice with Honeysuckle and also saddled the second, third and fourth last year).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 213y

16:50 Punchestown

July Flower

11st 3lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won Grade 2 Arkle Trial over 2m at Cheltenham in November before finishing third in 2m1f event at Leopardstown in December; appeared not to stay the extended 2m4f in the Grade 2 mares' chase at the Cheltenham Festival; however, she was placed in a Grade 1 hurdle around this distance in France two seasons ago.

20/1

5th

3

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

July Flower

11st 5lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Made it 2-2 over fences in the Grade 2 Arkle Trial here (2m, soft) in November before finishing third in Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown in December (2m1f, yielding; albeit no match for the first two); has won over 2m4f but faded up the hill in the 2m4f Mares' Hurdle here 12 months ago; probably needs a career-best performance if she's to run into a place.

10/1

4

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 50y

17:22 Limerick

July Flower

11st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Dual bumper winner in France including a Grade 1 event and also won two hurdle races there; won a Leopardstown Grade 3 hurdle on second spell with this yard and respectable efforts in Grade 1 mares' races since; should be too good for these if jumping adequately on chasing debut.

2/1

Form: /1-321

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Unexposed mare who built on a promising 2m4f handicap debut second here in no uncertain terms when an impressive winner of the valuable William Hill Hurdle at Newbury (2m, soft) last month, taking her form figures to 11321; another chunk of improvement is required but no shock were she to find it.
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

Form: 15-122

Last run: 72 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Four-time winner over hurdles, including of a 2m Grade 2 juvenile last winter; proved herself at 2m4f when chasing home July Flower in a Leopardstown Grade 3 (good to yielding) in December; freshened up since; has finished out of the first two only once in eight starts but will need a career best if she's to enhance that record here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

12:45 Aintree

Kala Conti

11st 0lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Useful hurdler and she made a smooth transition to chasing towards the end of 2025, winning two mares' races at Cork (2m5f/2m1f) and beating subsequent Arkle winner Kargese by 16l in the second of them; could not maintain her progress in Grade 1 novice at Sandown in January but nor was she disgraced; top on RPRs with her mares' allowance and should go well.

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: 111-37 C BF

Last run: 80 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Won her first six starts under rules (three bumpers and three novice hurdles); lost her unbeaten record but advanced her form again when third of 15 to Burdett Road in the Greatwood here (2m, good) on reappearance but a touch disappointing when only seventh in another valuable handicap hurdle at Ascot (2m, good to soft) just before Christmas; doesn't obviously shape as if crying out for a longer trip but has stamina in her pedigree and was second in a 3m point before embarking on her rules career.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(3)

3rd Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 5

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Dysart Enos

9st 10lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Fergal O’Brien

Grade 2 bumper winner and useful hurdler, albeit underperformed in major Irish handicap most recently; made the frame at Kempton earlier in July (behind Whatamoon; Flat debut) and has potential under this code.

5/2

Form: 111-26 C

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Listed winner in bumpers and over hurdles; runner-up in a Grade 3 handicap at Newbury in November after almost a year off and advanced her RPR again when sixth of 19 at Leopardstown (2m2f, soft) last month; plenty more will be needed in this race, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 149y

Class 3

16:30 Wincanton

Queens Gamble

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

A winner at Listed level in bumpers, over hurdles and fences; jumped particularly well when flooring odds-on Bluey here in February (heavy) and again ran well behind a sharp improver at Doncaster six weeks ago (soft; off 1lb higher); has won on good ground; very solid.

11/8

2nd

4

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 78y

Class 2

13:55 Doncaster

Queens Gamble

10st 10lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Looked hot property in bumpers and has won at Listed level in that scene and over hurdles and fences; appreciated the drop back to 1m7f (heavy; versatile ground-wise) when flooring a talented favourite on her third chase start at Wincanton where her jumping was slick throughout; the close proximity of the third horse (rated way lower) in that Listed race holds the form down, but this mare has shown she can deal with her current mark.

3/1

1st

5

14th Feb 2026

1m 7f 149y

Class 1

13:05 Wincanton

Queens Gamble

11st 2lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Dual Listed winner (bumper/hurdle), who is unexposed over fences and ran well for a long way when third of six in a Musselburgh handicap (2m4f, good to soft) 13 days ago; wasn't far off her best with that promising effort and she's respected on this drop back in trip.

7/4

Form: 336-23 D BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in the 2023 Triumph but only sixth to Lossiemouth in this last year; got a lot closer to her stablemate in a Punchestown Grade 1 in May but not at her best when third in 2m5f Warwick Listed race (soft) on reappearance 31 days ago; may come on for the outing but even a return to her peak form is unlikely to be enough.
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

15:42 Punchestown

Gala Marceau

11st 7lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

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

15:42 Punchestown

Gala Marceau

11st 7lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

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

15:50 Fairyhouse

Gala Marceau

10st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

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

Non-runners

Casa No Mento

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.10
Straight Forecast £3.92
Tricast £35.26
Trifecta £61.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Lossiemouth

POSTDATA:

Jade De Grugy

LAMBOURN:

Joyeuse

WEST COUNTRY:

Casa No Mento

D Express:

Jade De Grugy

Daily Mirror:

Jade De Grugy

The Star:

Jade De Grugy

Daily Record:

Jade De Grugy

RP RATINGS:

Lossiemouth

TOPSPEED:

Lossiemouth

The Times:

Lossiemouth

Telegraph:

Lossiemouth

The Guardian:

Lossiemouth

Daily Mail:

Lossiemouth

The Sun:

Lossiemouth