Mares’ Hurdle Tips: Love Envoi’s Festival record worth consideration

The final Grade 1 act on the opening afternoon of the Cheltenham Festival is the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle over two-and-a-half-miles.

It is a race Willie Mullins has farmed since it was added in 2008, with nine wins already, and he once more has the red-hot favourite amid his quartet of contenders.

Check out Betfred’s price boost on the Mares' Hurdle at 11:00, as well a winning distance special on Tuesday, March 12.

Ashroe Diamond (Willie Mullins/Patrick Mullins) 5/1

A very talented mare who remains unbeaten in hurdles contests when confined to her own sex. Grade 1-winning novice last season and no shame when third behind Stayers' Hurdle favourite Teahupoo in the Hatton's Grace on comeback, she has won a Grade 2 since at Doncaster in January.

Echoes In Rain (Willie Mullins/Brian Hayes) 22/1

Reliable performer with a 33 per cent hurdles strike-rate (6-18), including the Grade 1 Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown last season. All three starts this season were in races won by State Man.

Gala Marceau (Willie Mullins/Danny Mullins) 20/1

Perhaps fortunate when beating Lossiemouth at last year's Dublin Racing Festival and that form was reversed here in the Triumph. Auteuil Grade 1 scorer afterwards, but no match for Ashroe Diamond at Doncaster in January and turned over at odds-on since back at Punchestown.

Hispanic Moon (Henry de Bromhead/Darragh O'Keefe) 33/1

French import who accounted for Gala Marceau in the Grade 3 Quevega Mares Hurdle at Punchestown last month on heavy ground over this sort of trip. One of three for Henry de Bromhead.

Lantry Lady (Henry de Bromhead/Jack Kennedy) 22/1

Easy winner of a Gowran Park maiden a year ago and defied a 343-day absence when winning the Grade 3 Red Mills Trial Hurdle back there last month. That wasn't a race of any depth and Rachael Blackmore deserts her now.

Lossiemouth (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend) 4/6

Impressive Triumph Hurdle winner here last March and is 6-7 in her career with excuses for the sole defeat. Easily swatted Love Envoi aside here on Trials Day in January and the one to beat now if seeing out the extra distance.

Love Envoi (Harry Fry/Johnny Burke) 14/1

Won the Mares' Novices' race here in 2022 and a battling second to the retiring Honeysuckle in this contest last March. Not at her best in either run this season, but cheekpieces are deployed here and a return to this trip should be a positive, as is her course record.

Marie's Rock (Nicky Henderson/Nico de Boinville) 12/1

Winner of this race two years ago and, while only seventh last term, enjoyed a good run here over similar trip on New Year's Day and since held off You Wear It Well in a Doncaster Grade 2 at three miles. A solid place player.

Telmesomethinggirl (Henry de Bromhead/Rachael Blackmore) 14/1

Festival-winning novice here in 2021 and was going nicely when brought down in this race a year later. Went chasing last season to mixed effect and two sound runs in defeat this campaign since reverting to this discipline.

Theatre Glory (Nicky Henderson/James Bowen) 80/1

A useful novice over timber in 2021/22, but hasn't strictly kicked on in open company. Only sixth in this a year ago and 22 lengths behind stablemate Marie's Rock at Doncaster in January.

You Wear It Well (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) 25/1

Made all to win Mares' Novices' contest at this meeting 12 months ago. Listed winner at Wetherby on seasonal bow, but more hit than miss in three runs since and jumping was a worry at Doncaster last month.

Verdict

Love Envoi @ 14/1

There's no question Lossiemouth could easily be a cut above this field. She looked very good on Trials Day in January, but faces the most severe examination of stamina in her career now.

LOVE ENVOI couldn't go with her that afternoon, but her Festival record is excellent and the return to this longer trip, allied to a pair of first-time cheekpieces, ought to give Harry Fry's charge a fighting chance.

Telmesomethinggirl @ 14/1

With the favourite taking up plenty of the market, TELMESOMETHINGGIRL is another lively outsider.

Henry de Bromhead runs a trio of contenders and Rachael Blackmore sides with this mare, a former winner at this meeting with a score to settle in this race after being brought down two years ago when travelling sweetly.

Find more Cheltenham Tips here at Betfred Insights.