Grade Two Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Guide 2023

Nicky Henderson’s Ahorsewithnoname returns here after 80 days off following being pulled up in class four novice hurdle at Wincanton in December last year, which followed a runner up finish in this contest last season, when Love Envoi won at 15/2 for Harry Fry.

She was priced at 50/1 that day and has had just the one race since, so it’s hard to predict where she is in terms of being able to run a good race having been pulled last time out.

She had a few runs on the flat after the festival last year but nothing since that run 80 days ago which makes it hard to back her on the back of that outing.

One of the more experienced mares here with bumper victory at Roscommon in 2021 but yet to taste success over fences or hurdles yet.

Has been tried over the larger obstacles twice at Clonmel and Wexford before switching back to hurdles in Leopardstown handicap last month, won by Ballybawn Belter over 2m 1f, finishing third in the process.

Should be better for that run but would take a lot to win here.

Experienced runner on the flat in the likes of Germany, Ireland and France before hurdling debut at Punchestown in January, finishing first alongside Ladybank in a dead heat.

She was priced at 5/4 that day but comes to this contest with little experience compared to a few who have had a few more runs.

Hasn’t been exposed to this level yet so it is a little difficult to predict her chances in this one and there are some top prospects here.

Fairly heavily raced throughout 2022 with seven runs, including three wins at Plumpton, Fakenham and Ludlow at class two and four level.

Ran at this course in December, finishing a disappointing sixth when 9/4 favourite before running in a grade two at Kempton last month, recording a much better effort to finish a length behind winner Rubaud over 2m.

Harry Cobden is booked to ride for Milton Harris here on what is another step up for the six-year-old and it would be difficult to see her triumphing in this company.

Endless Escape arrives at the Mares’ Novice after winning all four of her hurdle runs at Lingfield, Wincanton, Ffos Las and most recently Newcastle last month.

Those victories have all been at the class three and four level with the most recent being the most impressive. Overcame a slightly awkward landing at the last to run on 8/11fav winner, beating Leading Force by just over three lengths to justify favouritism.

Much more competition here, however, and is inexperienced against this sort of company.

Returns for the Mares’ Novice after an 80-day break following first hurdle success at Limerick on Boxing Day last year over 2m, beating In Excess by four lengths.

Finished four and a half lengths behind the 5/6 favourite in the outing prior at Thurles earlier that month over 1m 7f, suggesting that she likes 2m more given her victory next time out.

Comes here fresh for Henry De Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore is on board, with Foxy Girl going off 127 here to try and tackle Luccia’s unbeaten run with a lot of other hopefuls.

Patrick Mullins rides Willie Mullins’ Nikini here, after 132 days off following second-place finish in a Grade three 2m hurdle at Down Royal in November last year. That followed two victories at Kilbeggan and Listowel following a few unsuccessful bumper runs.

Goes off 135 here at around 50/1, rated slightly better than a few around the market price she’s currently at, and can improve further but 132 days off could be a concern in and amongst fresher runners.

Impressive start to her career, winning three bumpers in a row including one here before sixth in the Champion Bumper at last year’s festival.

Then sent hurdling by Fergal O’Brien winning on debut at Ludlow before finishing third behind Luccia in class one listed event at Newbury last November.

Has since won at Carlisle and finished second at Ffos Las at class four level and this is a bigger step for her in this company.

Good hurdler for Noel Meade who hasn’t spent any time outside the top three during her career over obstacles, winning at Tipperary and Punchestown as well as placing at Down Royal, Thurles and Punchestown again on most recent run.

That was in the Grade Two Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle after third in listed class one hurdle at Thurles in December. Can continue that good form here as one of the slightly more experienced mares in this group off 134.

Six-year-old mare for Henry De Bromhead who boasts bumper victory at Cork as well as sole hurdle win at Thurles last time out over 1m 7f.

Did ok on hurdle debut at Punchestown last November to finish second before another second at Thurles in class one listed event before that maiden victory.

She looks like a progressive horse with plenty to improve on but hasn’t been involved in this sort of competitive race yet.

Halka Du Tabert won a bumper on debut at Naas for Gordon Elliott by a neck before heading to the same course in December last year for hurdling debut, again winning, this time beating Willie Mullins’ Eabha Grace by 11 lengths convincingly.

Davy Russell takes the reins here, as he did with this six-year-old last time out at Fairyhouse, where she finished third behind fellow runner Jetara and winner Ashroe Diamond.

Those strong showings should have her in the mix for the top places with Luccia, the hot favourite looking untouchable.

Winner of a hurdle race at Thurles after failing to win any of her first four starts and hasn’t really figured since, finishing 17th of 22 at Leopardstown before fifth of eight in grade three at Thurles last month.

Easy to dismiss in this company.

You Wear It Well has made a fairly good start to life over hurdles after winning class five bumper at Catterick to score on hurdling debut at Worcester in October last year.

A class four victory followed at Hexham before stepping up to graded company, finishing second behind Hermes Allen at Newbury in December.

That run provided some promise and proved that last time out at Sandown last month by winning grade two mares’ novice over 2m 3f, beating Dan Skelton trained She’s A Saint by seven lengths.

Different challenge here though, as Luccia has big potential and is yet to be beaten.

There has been lots of talk leading up to the Cheltenham Festival about Nicky Henderson’s five year old mare Luccia.

That’s because she comes here unbeaten, having won two bumpers and then her first two starts over hurdles at Newbury in November at 1/1 favourite, before coasting home by 11 lengths to Palace Boy last time out last month in a class one Listed event.

Nothing has really got close to her so far and it’s hard to see anything beating her in this year’s Mares’ Novice with Nico de Boinville booked to ride.

Magical Zoe returns after a lengthy break of 132 days, after winning grade three at Down Royal in November last year, beating Nikini by a length.

Comes here as an unbeaten hurdler, also winning on debut over obstacles at Wexford over 2m in September.

Won a bumper at Cork in March last year so there is clear promise as well as boasting graded success, but this is a tougher task especially after such a break against fresher horses.

Six-year-old made for Gordon Elliott with three runs over hurdles in her career following a bumper win at Limerick before scoring on hurdle debut at the same course in December last year over 2m 4f.

Went on to finish third behind The Model Kingdom and Impaire Et Passe in grade two at Punchestown in January before good second at the same course last month in listed class one.

Comes here without finishing outside of the places and in a big field could secure another place for Gordon Elliott.

Jetara comes here on the back of two promising runs over hurdles after winning class one Navan bumper back in November last year.

Made hurdle debut over 2m at Leopardstown in December, finishing four lengths behind High Definition to claim second ahead of 4/5 favourite Parmenion, who had to settle for third.

Followed that with a step up into graded company at Fairyhouse in January, finishing a length behind 1/1 fav Ashroe Diamond over 2m 2f.

With Sky Bet paying five places instead of three, she could sneak into that top five given her performances so far over hurdles showing potential to improve further.

Shock 200/1 winner at Taunton a few runs ago before unseating at Doncaster and third of seven at Taunton on class three return following that run.

Huge step up in class and company here for the Mares’ Novice Hurdle at the festival.
Another one to dismiss.

Five-year-old for Willie Mullins who arrives here in good form, having finished second twice in a row on first hurdle starts at Cork and Leopardstown before scoring third time lucky at Fairyhouse last month at 1/7 fav in a maiden hurdle. That win was very easy for Mullins and Paul Townend but comes into graded company here.

Currently Lot Of Joy sits at around 13/2 second favourite in the market behind Luccia and it is unlikely that any can come close to her in this contest unless a runner springs a big surprise to the 5/4 favourite.

Henry De Bromhead sends five-year-old mare Ladybank here for the Mares’ Novice after winning Punchestown maiden hurdle, when priced at 40/1, staying on well to beat the favourite Princess Zoe. That was after an eighth-place finish on debut at Leopardstown over Christmas, over 2m 4f alongside 19 other runners.

2m may suit her more and Aidan Coleman does the steering here for her first foray into graded company at the festival.

Lightly raced four-year-old for Nicky Henderson who arrives at the Mares’ Novice with two victories from two runs over hurdles, on debut in France at Fontainebleau before class four success at Newbury earlier this month, winning at 5/4 favourite by four lengths.

Steps up again in class to graded company here and it is fairly unknown how she can cope here with some class runners but Henderson will be hoping she can run a good race in the hands of Mark Walsh.