Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Tips: Believe in the Brighterdaysahead hype

The penultimate contest on day three of The Festival is the Mares' Novices' Hurdle - a Grade 2 event over 2m1f that's attracted a strong line-up of 11 runners, with a trio of really talented youngsters atop the betting market.

Of those, it's a very highly-regarded Irish runner who features in our Mares' Novices' Hurdle tips.

Birdie Or Bust (Henry de Bromhead/Rachael Blackmore)

Dual winner over timber, she was no match for Brighterdaysahead at Down Royal in November, but did win a Listed event next time at Thurles (2m, yielding) in December, beating a rival that won in Listed/Grade 3 company on her next two starts in Fun Fun Fun.

Brighterdaysahead (Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy)

Unbeaten in five starts under Rules, three of them over hurdles and getting better with each outing. Looks a real athletic sort and proven stamina should serve her well, while she has won on heavy going. Trainer has been singing her praises coming here.

Jade De Grugy (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend)

Has landed easy wins at Leopardstown (2m4f, heavy) and Fairyhouse (2m2fm soft) thus far, latterly in a Grade 3. Trainer won this five times after it was introduced in 2016, but none of the last three renewals.

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

Won her first two over timber at Market Rasen and Hereford (both on good ground) before a Listed second at Taunton in December behind Queens Gamble. No match for Dysart Enos in a bumper at Aintree last season.

Dysart Enos (Fergal O'Brien/Paddy Brennan)

Was touted for this race off the back of three hurdles wins at Huntingdon, here and Doncaster from November-late January and is 6-6 under Rules with three bumpers bagged last season, including a Grade 2. Looks a real smart prospect and gets 5lb from her two main market rivals.

Golden Ace (Jeremy Scott/Lorcan Williams)

Second to Dysart Enos in Grade 2 Aintree Mares' bumper last season and now 2-2 over hurdles after Taunton wins over 2m3f/2m½f since January. Seemingly handles any ground and a classy prospect in her own right.

Little Miss Dante (Olly Murphy/Sean Bowen)

Winner of her first two over hurdles at Ayr and Uttoxeter, but limitations perhaps exposed since in better company at Haydock and Sandown, pulled up after a mistake last month. A big ask in this company.

Majestic Force (Henry de Bromhead/Darragh O'Keefe)

A point winner and made a successful Rules bow by landing a Punchestown maiden hurdle (2m4f, heavy) just three weeks ago. Rapid rise in grade here.

Mollys Mango (Harry Derham/Paul O'Brien)

Winner of minor events over hurdles at Thurles and Fairyhouse this season either side of being pulled up at Wexford over a longer trip. Has since left Gordon Elliott and facing into a proper test on first outing for promising young trainer.

Titanium Moon (Donald McCain/Brian Hughes)

Racked up four successive hurdles wins from May-July, but they were all on good ground in minor company. Modest third in last month's Scottish Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Musselburgh and should find a few of these too good.

Victoria Milano (Alistair Ralph/Jack Tudor)

Milan mare is 2-3 over hurdles, most recently winning a Sandown novice (2m, soft) last month by a head from a rival beaten since in an Exeter maiden hurdle. All to prove in this company.

Verdict

This looks like a three-way clash for the prize between a trio of really promising mares.

In an ordinary year, Jade De Grugy would be much-fancied for the Mullins/Townend team, given how she has won her two starts so far, while Dysart Enos looks a real gem for Fergal O'Brien and will more than pay her way in mares' company on these shores.

She isn't penalised here, so she gets 5lb from market rivals Jade De Grugy and BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD.

Gordon Elliott believes this Gigginstown mare could be the best he has trained - some compliment - and her wins at Down Royal and Navan either side of Christmas have been sparkling. She is taken to justify the hype.