15:20 Cheltenham Tips: Bet against Lossiemouth in the Mares’ Hurdle

Mares Hurdle Betting Tips

• Jade De Grugy @ 9/2
• Take No Chances 20/1 (e/w)

*Odds correct as of the time of publication

Mares' Hurdle Tips & Runners Guide

Casa No Mento (Nigel Twiston-Davies/Sam Twiston-Davies) 100/1 

She won 4-5 as a novice over timber, including a Listed contest at Punchestown last May and arrives here after an easy chasing success at Bangor last month. Big ask in this company, however. 

Dysart Enos (Fergal O'Brien/Johnny Burke) 33/1 

Very promising last season, winning her first three over hurdles and returned with a good third in the Greatwood here in November. Flopped since at Ascot but too soon to write her off now upped in trip. 

Gala Marceau (Willie Mullins/Brian Hayes) 50/1 

First of a trio of Mullins contenders, she was a Grade 1-winning novice two seasons ago, but was beaten a long way in this contest 12 months ago and turned over in a Warwick Listed race in last month's comeback. 

Jade De Grugy (Willie Mullins/Danny Mullins) 9/2 

Just one defeat in five career starts, when tactics played a part in the Mares' novice here last season. Easy Grade 3 winner at Punchestown over this trip in last month's comeback and looks a big player now. 

Jetara (Jessica Harrington/Sam Ewing) 25/1 

A mare of some substance with five wins and five placed efforts from 15 hurdles starts, including a Doncaster Grade 2 over further in January. Behind a couple of these previously at Leopardstown over this trip, but the stiff finish here should help. 

Joyeuse (Nicky Henderson/Nico de Boinville) 25/1 

Half-sister to Champion Hurdle winner Epatante and she made short work of a valuable Newbury handicap last month, while her December second here over C&D is also good form. She's on the way up. 

July Flower (Henry de Bromhead/Rachael Blackmore) 10/1 

Trainer/jockey have a stellar record in this race and this French import impressed when beating Kala Conti on stable bow at Leopardstown in December. Should have a role to play here. 

Kala Conti (Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy) 16/1 

Twice second in Irish Grade 3s this winter, behind July Flower last time on her first attempt at this trip. A bit more needed, but the only 5YO in the field has time on her side. 

Lossiemouth (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend) 4/6 

She's 3-3 around here and easily won this contest a year ago for her second Festival success. Ran a strange race when second to Constitution Hill in Kempton's Christmas Hurdle and took a crashing fall since in the Irish Champion Hurdle. She remains the clear ratings pick back amongst her own sex. 

Queens Gamble (Harry Derham/Paul O'Brien) 40/1 

She beat Casa No Mento in a Listed race at Taunton last season and comes here after finishing sixth in a DRF handicap behind Vischio last month, but she has a bit to find in this company. 

Take No Chances (Dan Skelton/Harry Skelton) 20/1 

Milan mare found Newcastle's Fighting Fifth too hot in November but two good runs since, including when turning over Kargese in a Mares' Grade 2 at Ascot in January. She was only neck behind Joyeuse over C&D in December, when conceding more than a stone to that rival. 

Verdict 

Jade De Grugy @ 9/2 & Take No Chances 20/1 

Last year's impressive winner Lossiemouth is the one to beat on paper, but things have not gone well in her preparation, leading connections to swerve the Champion Hurdle in favour of this, and it won't be straightforward. 

Stablemate JADE DE GRUGY looked very good in her comeback win at Punchestown and could be the one, with her defeat here last March easy to forgive. She's on the rise. 

So too is Joyeuse for Nicky Henderson, but she hasn't much in hand on TAKE NO CHANCES based on their December C&D clash and Dan Skelton's charge is 18lb better off here, having won a Grade 2 since at Ascot over shorter. She's twice the price and makes each-way appeal. 

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