David Nicholson Mares Hurdle Race Card

Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle Runners And Entries 2024

You can find the runners & entries for the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle for this year's Cheltenham Festival below.

As a reminder, this is a full list of entries, but 5 days before the race there will be further declarations, and final declarations 48 hours before.

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

1st
Paul Townend

Lossiemouth

Age: 5
Weight: 11.4
OR: 155
J:
 
Paul Townend
T:
 
W P Mullins
travelled strongly, in rear, headway before 3 out, prominent 2 out, smooth headway and led approaching last, ridden final 110yds, readily
2nd
Rachael Blackmore

Telmesomethinggirl

Age: 9
Weight: 11.4
OR: 140
J:
 
Rachael Blackmore
T:
 
Henry De Bromhead
prominent early, in touch with leaders, headway before 5th, led but faced challenge 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on but no match for winner
3rd
Darragh O'Keeffe

Hispanic Moon

Age: 7
Weight: 11.4
OR: 143
J:
 
Darragh O'Keeffe
T:
 
Henry De Bromhead
in touch with leaders, some headway 2 out, outpaced approaching last, soon went modest third, kept on
4th
Jack Kennedy

Lantry Lady

Age: 6
Weight: 11.4
OR: N/A
J:
 
Jack Kennedy
T:
 
Henry De Bromhead
held up in rear, steady headway from 4 out, in touch with leaders when not fluent 2 out, outpaced approaching last, stayed on

David Nicholson Mares Hurdle Tips

This is where all of our tips will be for the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle , we also have you covered with daily tips.

Exeter - March 19 2024
Exeter 15:00
3
James Bowen

Numitor

J: James Bowen
T: Heather Main
James Bowen

Numitor

bet365
£10.00 Returns £100.00
9/1
betfred
£10.00 Returns £100.00
9/1
betvictor
£10.00 Returns £100.00
9/1
betway
£10.00 Returns £100.00
9/1
coral
£10.00 Returns £100.00
9/1
ladbrokes
£10.00 Returns £100.00
9/1
midnite
£10.00 Returns £100.00
9/1
skybet
£10.00 Returns £100.00
9/1
betfair
£10.00 Returns £95.00
17/2
betMGM
£10.00 Returns £95.00
17/2
betuk
£10.00 Returns £95.00
17/2
grosvenor
£10.00 Returns £95.00
17/2
paddy_power
£10.00 Returns £95.00
17/2
william_hill
£10.00 Returns £95.00
17/2
9/1
Age: 10
Weight: 11-9
OR: 132
Days: 340
DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
14/04/23AIN21Sft10-6PU
25/03/23NBY20Sft11-92
24/02/23WAR20Gd11-113
27/12/22CHP19.5Sft11-0PU
25/11/22NBY20Gd11-23
Exeter 16:00
3
Ned Fox

Desert Fortune

J: Ned Fox
T: Venetia Williams
Ned Fox

Desert Fortune

bet365
£10.00 Returns £30.00
2/1
betfred
£10.00 Returns £30.00
2/1
betvictor
£10.00 Returns £30.00
2/1
betway
£10.00 Returns £30.00
2/1
coral
£10.00 Returns £30.00
2/1
ladbrokes
£10.00 Returns £30.00
2/1
midnite
£10.00 Returns £30.00
2/1
william_hill
£10.00 Returns £30.00
2/1
betMGM
£10.00 Returns £28.75
15/8
betuk
£10.00 Returns £28.75
15/8
grosvenor
£10.00 Returns £28.75
15/8
skybet
£10.00 Returns £28.75
15/8
betfair
£10.00 Returns £27.50
7/4
paddy_power
£10.00 Returns £27.50
7/4
2/1
Age: 7
Weight: 11-4
OR: 90
Days: 21
DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
27/02/24LEI20Hy11-72
28/03/23HUN25Sft12-0PU
02/02/23FAK23.5Gd11-75
22/12/22FFO20Sft10-79
17/11/22WCN15Gd11-27
Wetherby - March 19 2024
Wetherby 16:15
3
Jordan Nailor

Mister Barclay

J: Jordan Nailor
T: Tom Symonds
Jordan Nailor

Mister Barclay

bet365
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
betfair
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
betfred
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
betMGM
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
betuk
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
betvictor
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
betway
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
coral
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
grosvenor
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
ladbrokes
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
midnite
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
paddy_power
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
skybet
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
william_hill
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
9/2
Age: 6
Weight: 11-6
OR: 91
Days: 23
DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
25/02/24HER21.5Sft11-27
25/01/24WET19.5Sft11-53
26/12/23WET19.5Sft10-82
17/11/23DON21Gd11-17
06/04/23HER16GS10-133
Wetherby 14:45
3
Aaron Anderson

Raffles Wonder

J: Aaron Anderson
T: Rebecca Menzies
Aaron Anderson

Raffles Wonder

betMGM
£10.00 Returns £19.09
10/11
betuk
£10.00 Returns £19.09
10/11
grosvenor
£10.00 Returns £19.09
10/11
ladbrokes
£10.00 Returns £19.09
10/11
skybet
£10.00 Returns £19.09
10/11
william_hill
£10.00 Returns £19.09
10/11
betvictor
£10.00 Returns £19.00
9/10
bet365
£10.00 Returns £18.33
5/6
betfred
£10.00 Returns £18.33
5/6
betway
£10.00 Returns £18.33
5/6
midnite
£10.00 Returns £18.33
5/6
betfair
£10.00 Returns £18.00
4/5
paddy_power
£10.00 Returns £18.00
4/5
coral
£10.00 Returns £17.27
8/11
10/11
Age: 7
Weight: 11-10
OR: 86
Days: 5
DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
14/03/24HEX16Hy11-01
24/02/24NCS17Hy11-43
07/02/24SED17Sft11-76
06/01/24NCS20.5Sft11-010
23/12/23NCS17Gd11-211
Wolverhampton (AW) - March 19 2024
Wolverhampton (AW) 20:00
2(2)
Archie Young

Prince Ali

J: Archie Young
T: Deborah Faulkner
Archie Young

Prince Ali

betvictor
£10.00 Returns £43.33
10/3
coral
£10.00 Returns £43.33
10/3
ladbrokes
£10.00 Returns £43.33
10/3
skybet
£10.00 Returns £43.33
10/3
betMGM
£10.00 Returns £40.00
3/1
betuk
£10.00 Returns £40.00
3/1
grosvenor
£10.00 Returns £40.00
3/1
midnite
£10.00 Returns £40.00
3/1
william_hill
£10.00 Returns £40.00
3/1
betfair
£10.00 Returns £37.50
11/4
betfred
£10.00 Returns £37.50
11/4
paddy_power
£10.00 Returns £37.50
11/4
betway
£10.00 Returns £36.00
13/5
bet365
£10.00 Returns £35.00
5/2
10/3
Age: 6
Weight: 9-9
OR: 62
Days: 4
DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
15/03/24WOL9.5St9-62
26/02/24WOL9.5St10-33
07/01/24WOL9.5St9-610
10/12/23WOL8.5St9-06
04/12/23WOL9.5St8-132
Wolverhampton (AW) 19:30
3(7)
Ben Coen

Bernie The Bear

J: Ben Coen
T: Linda Perratt
Ben Coen

Bernie The Bear

betfair
£10.00 Returns £35.00
5/2
betfred
£10.00 Returns £35.00
5/2
betvictor
£10.00 Returns £35.00
5/2
betway
£10.00 Returns £35.00
5/2
coral
£10.00 Returns £35.00
5/2
ladbrokes
£10.00 Returns £35.00
5/2
paddy_power
£10.00 Returns £35.00
5/2
skybet
£10.00 Returns £35.00
5/2
bet365
£10.00 Returns £32.50
9/4
betMGM
£10.00 Returns £32.50
9/4
betuk
£10.00 Returns £32.50
9/4
grosvenor
£10.00 Returns £32.50
9/4
midnite
£10.00 Returns £32.50
9/4
william_hill
£10.00 Returns £32.50
9/4
5/2
Age: 4
Weight: 9-6
OR: 52
Days: 12
DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
07/03/24NCS6St9-92
23/02/24LIN7St8-75
13/02/24NCS7St9-54
02/02/24NCS6St8-123
25/01/24NCS6St8-132
Wolverhampton (AW) 18:00
8(6)
Joey Haynes

Munificent

J: Joey Haynes
T: Chelsea Banham
Joey Haynes

Munificent

betMGM
£10.00 Returns £50.00
4/1
betuk
£10.00 Returns £50.00
4/1
betvictor
£10.00 Returns £50.00
4/1
coral
£10.00 Returns £50.00
4/1
grosvenor
£10.00 Returns £50.00
4/1
ladbrokes
£10.00 Returns £50.00
4/1
william_hill
£10.00 Returns £50.00
4/1
midnite
£10.00 Returns £47.50
15/4
betfred
£10.00 Returns £45.00
7/2
paddy_power
£10.00 Returns £45.00
7/2
skybet
£10.00 Returns £45.00
7/2
bet365
£10.00 Returns £43.33
10/3
betfair
£10.00 Returns £43.33
10/3
betway
£10.00 Returns £43.33
100/30
4/1
Age: 6
Weight: 9-3
OR: 52
Days: 19
DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
29/02/24CFD5St9-17
12/02/24WOL5St9-24
10/01/24KEM6St/Slw8-74
30/12/23WOL7St9-211
03/11/23NMK5Hy8-86

Fifth race of Champions Day

The David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle, currently known for sponsorship purposes as the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle, is a major highlight of the opening day at the Cheltenham Festival.

This Grade 1 race is open to fillies and mares aged four years or older, and takes place over a distance of 2 miles and 4 furlongs (about 4,005 meters). The challenging course features ten hurdles.

History of the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle

The David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle is a relatively recent addition to the Cheltenham Festival, having been introduced in 2008. It began as a Grade 2 contest and was initially held on the Festival's final day. However, it was moved to the prestigious opening day in 2009 and further elevated to Grade 1 status in 2015.

The race honors the memory of David Nicholson (1939-2006), a celebrated jockey and trainer who achieved remarkable success at the Cheltenham Festival. He won five races as a jockey and an impressive 17 as a trainer.

The race is currently sponsored by Close Brothers, their involvement has contributed to a significant increase in prize money, with the winner now receiving over £120,000

Recent Years

The Cheltenham Mares Hurdle was introduced in 2008 and quickly became a highlight of the festival. Here's how the history of winners has unfolded:

  • Early Years: The inaugural race in 2008 was won by Whiteoak for Donald McCain and Jason Maguire.
  • Quevega's Dominance: Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh made this race their own with the legendary mare Quevega, who secured six consecutive wins between 2009 and 2014.
  • Mullins' Continued Success: Mullins continued his winning streak in the race, training different champions like Glens Melody (2015), Vroum Vroum Mag (2016), and Benie Des Dieux (2018).
  • English Victories: England broke through the Irish dominance occasionally, with notable wins like Roksana for Harry and Dan Skelton in 2019.
  • Recent History: Honeysuckle, another remarkable Mullins-trained mare, wrote her name into the history books with victories in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. Marie's Rock triumphed in 2022 for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville.

Leading Figures

Willie Mullins remains the undisputed top trainer in this race with a staggering number of wins. Ruby Walsh was the dominant jockey until his retirement, holding a phenomenal winning record. Paul Townend, who won with Glens Melody in 2015, has taken over as Mullins' primary rider.

David Nicholson Mares Hurdle Winners


Year Horse Trainer Jockey
2023 Honeysuckle Henry de Bromhead Rachael Blackmore
2022 Marie's Rock Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville
2021 Black Tears Denise Foster Jack Kennedy
2020 Honeysuckle Henry de Bromhead Rachael Blackmore
2019 Roksana Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
2018 Benie Des Dieux Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh
2017 Apple's Jade Gordon Elliott Bryan Cooper
2016 Vroum Vroum Mag Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh
2015 Glens Melody Willie Mullins Paul Townend
2014 Quevega Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh
2013 Quevega Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh
2012 Quevega Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh
2011 Quevega Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh
2010 Quevega Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh
2009 Quevega Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh
2008 Whiteoak Donald McCain Jason Maguire

David Nicholson Mares Hurdle FAQs

Finding Tips For The David Nicholson Mares Hurdle

If you’re looking for our thoughts on who you should back in the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle take a look at our Day 1 Tips page to see everything, we’re backing for this race at the Cheltenham Festival.

You can also see all the latest odds for this race on our David Nicholson Mares Hurdle Odds page allowing you to see which bookmakers are offering the best price on each horse in the race.