Grade One Mares’ Hurdle Guide 2023

Classy nine-year-old for Nicky Henderson who has been unfortunate to run into the freak that is Constitution Hill two runs on the spin in November and December, finishing runner up to the gelding by 12 and 17 lengths respectively at Newcastle and Kempton.

Comfortably won a grade two at Doncaster in January, beating Salsasa by six and a half lengths and she won this race in 2020, edging out the Willie Mullins trained Sharjah by three lengths.

She cannot be dismissed having won her previously and not being out of the top three of races for a while.

The legendary Honeysuckle makes what probably will be her last appearance before going to stud after her 16-race unbeaten run was broken at Fairyhouse in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle in December before finishing second behind State Man at Leopardstown last month.

This race brings the curtain down on a fantastic career and the reception she will receive, win or lose will be amazing to see.

She has every chance of ending on a high with victory after Henry De Bromhead opted for this race instead of the Champion Hurdle but it will still be tough with the likes of Epatante and Marie’s Rock vying for victory.

Fairly experienced runner for Willie Mullins since her hurdling debut in 2019, where she finished fifth at Leopardstown before beating 19-runner field at Naas in December 2020.

Boasts graded success in her career and was running freely before falling two out in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle last December where Teahupoo beat Klassical Dream by a neck.

Has since bounced back from that disappointment by winning a grade three hurdle contest at Naas in January, beating Cash Back by a comfortable ten lengths at 5/6 favourite.

Comes into this one priced at around 9/1 and shouldn’t be dismissed after that win but this is tougher.

Marie’s Rock is currently the market favourite in what has the potential to be the best race of the festival after winning this contest last year, beating Queens Brook by just under two lengths.

Won a grade one at Punchestown in April last year before recording victory in the Relkeel Hurdle at this course in January after eight months off, beating Dashel Drasher by six lengths.

Suits the 2m 3f course down to a tee but with plenty of top runners in this year’s renewal of the race she will need to be at her best to win but she would be the pick of the bunch on recent form and having won last year.

Gordon Elliott sends one from his team for this year’s hot renewal of the Mares’ Hurdle with Queens Brook, who was runner up to Marie’s Rock last year when priced at 4/1.

Last three runs have been impressive with the eight-year-old finishing first at Punchestown in November, second at Leopardstown in December before beating Anna Bunina and Brandy Love last month at Punchestown.

She needs to find more to compete here in a tough contest but running well here in the past should stand her in good stead.

There is no real outsider in this race like others, with Shewearsitwell priced at around 20/1 currently after winning two races in a row before coming here after a 75-day break.

Those wins have come at Punchestown over 2m 7f before triumphing against Queens Brook in the Grade Three Irish EBF Mares’ Hurdle at Leopardstown in December, winning by four and a half lengths.

Being off 75 days might not be ideal but no runner can be dismissed in this race which could be the hottest one of the festival and is part of a leading yard with Danny Mullins also onboard.

Seven-year-old mare for Harry Fry who has only suffered defeat over hurdles once, coming second to Brandy Love in a grade one at Fairyhouse in April last year after winning the Mares’ Novice Hurdle here at the festival last year.

Has since recorded two victories in a row at Sandown, winning a class two handicap before class one success over 2m 3f in January, beating Martello Sky by 13 lengths.

Has been in great form over hurdles since her debut in 2021 and must not be dismissed but this is such a strong race and only one can win.

Theatre Glory has a good record over hurdles for Nicky Henderson, winning five of her eight runs over obstacles at the likes of Warwick and Kelso and has also won here before in April last year, winning a mares’ novice over 2m 4f.

She’s upped in grade here and runs into stablemates Epatante and Marie’s Rock but can give a good account of herself if she can continue the upward curve she’s been on over the last year with Daryl Jacob on board the six-year-old mare.

Lightly raced seven-year-old for Willie Mullins who returned after nearly a year out at Punchestown last month to finish third behind Anna Bunina and winner Queen’s Brook in the Grade Three Quevega Mares Hurdle.

Her last run before that came at Fairyhouse last April, beating Love Envoi by eight lengths to claim grade one success and victory for the first time since maiden hurdle win at Naas in December 2021.

It feels strange to suggest Mullins won’t win this race considering his high-class squad of runners for the festival but Brandy Love is capable of more so cannot be dismissed, although it is harder for her to beat the likes of Marie’s Rock and Honeysuckle here.