Mares’ Chase Tips: Can Dinoblue go back-to-back?

The sixth edition of the Mares' Chase takes place on Friday at the Cheltenham Festival (14:40 GMT). We are yet to see back-to-back winners in this contest but Dinoblue returns to defend her crown for Willie Mullins.

Below I run through my Mares' Chase tips.

Our in-house Horse Racing tipster Owen McMahon has gone through the card for Friday's Races and made a selection for every race. Read who he's backing and why with our Cheltenham Day 4 Tips. 

Added to that, former jockey Katie Walsh runs through her Cheltenham Friday Tips for Betfred.

Mares' Chase Odds

Each-way - Dinoblue @ 15/8

This will be DINOBLUE's fifth appearance at the Festival and her third consecutive outing in the Mares' Chase. She was narrowly second to Limerick Lace in 2024 before going one better 12 months ago. Mark Walsh was on board for both of those rides and this partnership continues on Friday.

Dinoblue raised questions on her reappearance at Navan in November following a few mistakes. They were quickly put to bed, however, as she won comfortably on her most recent starts at Fairyhouse and Naas.

She's in a rhythm that connections want her to be in and she is definitely considered the one to beat here. She can make history as the first back-to-back champion in the Mares' Chase but with that yet to happen, I'd still look at an each-way play.

Each-way - Panic Attack @ 3/1

PANIC ATTACK for Dan Skelton is deemed Dinoblue's biggest threat looking at the betting. This stable is yet to taste success in this race but Panic Attack looks like she could have the golden ticket.

This 10-year-old is showing excellent form heading to the Festival. She won a handicap double at Cheltenham and Newbury in November before completing the hat-trick with listed success at Newbury on her last outing in January.

The daughter of Canford Cliffs likes the rain, so soft ground on Friday may give her what she needs to get the job done for her yard.

Each-way - Only By Night @ 7/1

Fourth in the betting is ONLY BY NIGHT at 7/1. She represents Gavin Cromwell, who won the 2024 edition with Limerick Lace. The eight-year-old was runner up in the Arkle in 2025.

She won at Naas on her reappearance in November but was comfortably beaten on her most recent appearance at Leopardstown in December after suffering a setback at the second fence.

The daughter of Affinisea is unproven over this distance (2m4½) but if she can handle it, she's a good price to place.

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