The Mares’ Hurdle is a Grade 1 hurdle race open to mares aged four years or older. Also known as the David Nicholson Hurdle, the race has a relatively short history, and shocks are rare.
It gives mares a chance to shine at the Cheltenham Festival and, crucially, is positioned at two miles and four furlongs, which puts it right in the middle of both championship hurdle races - the two-mile Champion Hurdle and three-mile Stayers’ Hurdle.
The race is famous for the exploits of the Willie Mullins-trained Quevega, who won the race for six consecutive years from 2009 to 2014.
Read on to find our Mares’ Hurdle betting offers, tips, odds and free bets for the 2024 race.
| Race Details | |
|---|---|
| When: | Tuesday, March 12th - 4:10pm |
| Winner’s Prize: | £67,524 |
| Distance: | Two-miles & four-furlongs |
| Race Type: | Grade 1 Hurdle |
| Age: | 4-Years+ |
| Course: | Old Course |
| Weights: | 10st 10lb (4yo), 11st 5lb (5yo+) |
| Where to Watch? | ITV Racing, Racing TV, Bookmaker Streams |
Mares’ Hurdle Betting Offers & Free Bets
Mares’ Hurdle Betting Tips
Always a popular betting contest, the Mares’ Hurdle has been a profitable race for favourite backers - will that theme continue in 2024, though with Lossiemouth?
Charlie McCann doesn’t think so, while Alan Kelly and Ed Quigley both have their eyes on 12/1 selections!
Charlie McCann - Love Envoi (Each-Way)
Lossiemouth swerves the Champion Hurdle to run in the Mares’ Hurdle and is another short-priced favourite who is hard to oppose given her juvenile form. She showed her well-being when coming home clear in the International Hurdle here in January, although that was over the minimum trip on good to soft ground.
There is stamina in her pedigree, and I expect her to be contesting the Champion Hurdle in twelve months’ time, but I do feel that LOVE ENVOI, beaten nearly 10L by the favourite last time, can give her a race, up in distance on softer ground with a 1lb pull in the weights.
Harry Fry’s mare finished runner-up to Honeysuckle in the corresponding race 12 months ago on soft ground when she was beaten just a length-and-a-half by that dual Champion Hurdler.
Love Envoi has a course record of 1-2-2 and a Festival record of 1-2 and Lossiemouth cannot yet be mentioned in the same breath as Honeysuckle. Harry Fry has not had a great season but has produced this mare spot-on for the big day in the last couple of years. She will love the ground, is fitted with cheekpieces for the first time and I will be disappointed if she does not finish in the first three.
Mares’ Hurdle Betting Odds
Last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner, Lossiemouth, is the current favourite for the Mares’ Hurdle on the back of a blistering performance in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham back in January.
Despite discussions to run her in the Champion Hurdle, connections have stuck to their original plan of this race as she aims to end a five-year losing run for trainer Willie Mullins in this contest.
What Happened Last Year?
The 2023 Mares’ Hurdle saw a fairytale ending for the high-class Honeysuckle, who took victory in her final-ever race.
The two-time Champion Hurdle winner teamed up with Rachael Blackmore to make it four from four at Prestbury Park, sparking scenes of jubilation.
Sent off the 9/4 joint-favourite, Honeysuckle battled bravely up the Cheltenham hill to edge out Love Envoi by a length and a half, with Queens Brook back in third.
Mares’ Hurdle Key Race Stats
- Ten of the last 12 winners came from the first two in the betting market
- Nine of the last 12 winners won on their last run before the Mares’ Hurdle
- 11 of the previous 12 winners had at least 3 previous wins over hurdles
Previous Winners of the Mares’ Hurdle
Check out the last five winners of the Mares’ Hurdle in the table below.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Honeysuckle |
| 2022 | Marie’s Rock |
| 2021 | Black Tears |
| 2020 | Honeysuckle |
| 2019 | Roksana |
FAQs
What time is the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham?
The Mares' Hurdle is scheduled to be run at 4:10pm.
What day is the Mares' Hurdle run at Cheltenham?
The Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham takes place on the first day of the meeting, which in 2024, will be Tuesday, March 12th.
How far is the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham?
The Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham is ran over a distance of two miles and four furlongs.
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