The Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle Tips (4:10pm)

[StevieDay1983]

The Close Brothers Mare’s Hurdle (or the David Nicholson Mare’s Hurdle as it was formerly know) has only been run fifteen times with Ireland winning twelve of those and Willie Mullins taking nine of those dozen. His super mare Quevega (dam of Facile Vega) won this race no less than six times on the bounce between 2014 and 2019 which must surely go down as one of Mullins’ greatest training performances. Last year the race was wrestled away from Ireland by Nicky Henderson’s Marie’s Rock at 18/1 with Ireland filling the next five places home. The race is run over the old course and the mares will race over 2M 3F 200 yards.

This year’s renewal looks a cracker and although there is a constant debate as to whether this race takes away from the Champion Hurdle (which in my opinion it does) there’s certainly no debate that this years contest is one of the best of the Festival. Two time Champion Hurdle winner Honeysuckle heads the market and will run here in preference to defending her title as she’s been beaten twice this season already. Certainly not disgraced mind in running second to State Man in the Irish Champion Hurdle ( beaten 4 3/4L). She looks sure to be competitive for the Henry De Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore combo. The pick of the three Willie Mullins entries may well be Echoes In Rain who was my pick for this very contest last year when a tad disappointing in 5th. She won in a canter at Naas in January in her trial and if she takes her chance here (she’s also entered in the Champion Hurdle) can make her presence tell. Brandy Love is another Mullins runner who has to be taken seriously. She was a late withdrawal in the mares novice hurdle last season but ended her season beating the smart Love Envoi by 8L at Fairyhouse. She probably needed her re-apperance run at Punchestown when third to last years runner up Queens Brook at Punchestown giving her weight in late February. She'll need to step forward from that to make her presence felt here. The Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate owned Love Envoi was a popular winner at the Festival last year of the mares novices’ hurdle but that came on soft ground and she does appear to need the mud (she was pulled out recently at Warwick as the ground wasn’t soft enough). She’s unbeaten in two runs this season and comes into the equation if the ground is soft or worse. Last year’s winner Marie’s Rock trained by Nicky Henderson is yet another possible having followed up at the Punchestown Festival a month later and also impressing when taking the Relkeel Hurdle on her re-appearance by 6L. There has been talk of her taking the stayers hurdle route mind for which she also has an entry. Henderson has a second option mind with his smart hurdler Epatante who will have to be supplemented as she was missed out of the latest declaration stage due to a clerical error! Runner up to the freak that is Constitution Hill twice prior to comfortably winning at Doncaster in January she should run well although was behind both Honeysuckle and Marie’s Rock at Cheltenham and Punchestown respectively last season. Gordon Elliott may well saddle last years runner up Queens Brook who is a lively outsider as she was rushed into getting their last season and won well with Brandy Love behind at Punchestown in late February. An intriguing contest with any of the front ones capable of taking this but I’m taking Willie Mullins’ Echoes In Rain to take first prize.

Punters Lounge Tip: Echoes In Rain @ 8/1 EW 1/5 123 at >BoyleSports - Click Here To Bet

by The Brigadier

[The Brigadier]

 

Close Brothers Mares Hurdle 4.10 Cheltenham

The Close Brothers Mare’s Hurdle (or the David Nicholson Mare’s Hurdle as it was formerly know) has only been run fifteen times with Ireland winning twelve of those and Willie Mullins taking nine of those dozen. His super mare Quevega (dam of Facile Vega) won this race no less than six times on the bounce between 2014 and 2019 which must surely go down as one of Mullins’ greatest training performances. Last year the race was wrestled away from Ireland by Nicky Henderson’s Marie’s Rock at 18/1 with Ireland filling the next five places home. The race is run over the old course and the mares will race over 2M 3F 200 yards.

BRANDY LOVE

One of three Willie Mullins here and presumably the pick of the stable’s number one jockey Paul Townend. Missed Cheltenham on morning of mares novices’ hurdle last year due to injury but beat the winner of that race Love Envoi by a comfortable 8L at Fairyhouse the following month in a first time hood. Back from a 311 day absence when easy to back and finishing a 4 3/4L third to Queens Brook who she was giving 9lb to. Sure to have come forward for that run and holds each way claims here.

ECHOES IN RAIN

5th in this last year prior to runner up in Punchestown Champion Hurdle to Honeysuckle the following month. Last seen when an easy winner of a grade 3 at Naas in January and only has 7lb officially to find with today’s top rated Honeysuckle. A negative here though has to be the fact that Willie Mullins’ number one pilot Paul Townend has chosen to ride Brandy Love.

EPATANTE

One of three Nicky Henderson trained runners in today’s field. Bumped into stable companion Constitution Hill twice before a comfortable winner at Doncaster in January. 2020 winner of the Champion Hurdle and runner up the last two years to Honeysuckle in same race. A very slick hurdler who will be ridden by his regular jockey Aidan Coleman today and should go close with conditions to suit.

HONEYSUCKLE

Dual winner of the Champion Hurdle who takes this route rather than challenge Constitution Hill and State Man in this years renewal. The top rated in the field and her two starts this season suggest she retains plenty of ability. A 4 3/4L second to State Man maybe good enough for her to take a hand in the finish. Will be ridden as per usual by Rachael Blackmore and is trained in Ireland Henry De Bromhead.

LOVE ENVOI

Won the mares novices’ hurdle at the meeting last year but was firmly put in her place a month later by Brandy Love at Fairyhouse. A dual winner at Sandown this season in handicap and listed company and the ground can’t be soft enough for her. Officially rated 12lb behind Honeysuckle but on her favoured terrain has place claims. Trained by Harry Fry and will be ridden today by Jonathan Burke.

MARIE’S ROCK

Winner of this contest a year ago by 1 3/4L from Queens Brook. Unbeaten since at Punchestown (grade 1) and Cheltenham (grade 2). Runs here in preference to a tilt at the stayers hurdle where her stamina would have been tested going up in trip. Trained at Seven Barrows by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico De Boinville. Impressed last time and a big player today.

MIDNIGHT GINGER

Trained locally by Andrew Martin and totally outclassed here. Should comfortably finish last under James Martin.

QUEENS BROOK

Runner up to Marie’s Rock in this last year following an interrupted preparation. Been a bit hit and miss so far this season but did beat the re-appearing Brandy Love last time though was in receipt of 9lb. Davy Russell rides for Gordon Elliott and could out run her odds as has been aimed at this race since last year.

SHEWEARSITWELL

The weakest of the Mullins trio who will be ridden today by Danny Mullins. Looked good at Leopardstown over Christmas when a comfortable 4 1/2L winner over Queens Brook over today’s distance. Bit to find on ratings but obviously has plenty of talent.

THEATRE GLORY

The third candidate from the Nicky Henderson yard. Was supplemented at a cost of just under £5k for this and will need to finish in the first five to recuperate that. Daryl Jacob takes the ride and looked good at Warwick last time out last month but that was on good ground and soft ground today will be against.

Summary :-

One of the races of the Festival with dual Champion Hurdler Honeysuckle the one to beat. She’s unbeaten in three starts at the Festival having won this race in 2020 and the two subsequent Champions. Last year’s winner Marie’s Rock looks a serious player whilst her stable mate Epatante also has strong claims. Echoes In Rain was an original ante post fancy of mine but with Paul Townend choosing Brandy Love over her is now dismissed. The latter could be the most interesting one but can be a bit wayward (wears a hood) and hasn’t had the ideal preparation for this. With everything considered it’s going to be Honeysuckle for me to win her fourth race in the last four Festivals and bring the house down.

1 Honeysuckle

2 Marie’s Rock

3 Brandy Love

[Bathtime For Rupert]

Appreciate Honeysuckle is on the downgrade but she's hardly run terribly in good company the last twice. Surely she's going to be bang there going to the last and if Marie's Rock fails to settle, might just be able to pinch this so rates as the bet for me at 11/4.