Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase |
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| Grade 2, Cheltenham 14:40 £130,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 4f 127y, Class 1  |
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1 Dinoblue 11/8F
2 Only By Night 11/1
3 Panic Attack 11/4
8 ran NR: Diva Luna Distances: 1¾l, 9½l, 3½l
Time: 5m 7.38s (fast by 0.62s)
Dinoblue goes back-to-back in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase 🏆
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 13, 2026
The favourite wins for Mark Walsh & @WillieMullinsNH 👏 pic.twitter.com/Xf4MYdN2aV
Dinoblue confirmed her status as one of the outstanding mares in training with a polished display to retain her crown.
Runner-up in 2024 before capturing this two-and-a-half-mile Grade 2 contest 12 months ago, the Willie Mullins-trained mare returned as a warm favourite in the colours of JP McManus after winning both of her starts this season.
Mark Walsh was content to track the early pace set by the outsider Telepathique, always keeping a close watch on the chief market rival Panic Attack. Dinoblue moved smoothly to the front approaching the fourth-last, and although Panic Attack attempted to apply pressure, Harry Skelton was already hard at work while Walsh remained motionless in the saddle.
Panic Attack soon began to feel the strain, but the patiently ridden Only By Night – runner-up in last year’s Arkle – emerged as the main threat. Two more fluent jumps from Dinoblue ensured she maintained her advantage and, though Only By Night closed the gap after the final fence, the outcome never seriously looked in doubt.
Dinoblue crossed the line a length and three-quarters clear of Only By Night, with Panic Attack a further nine and a half lengths back in third.
Willie Mullins was full of admiration for the quality of the mare’s jumping display.
He said: “One thing Mark said when he got off her was that her jumping today was just magical, especially over the last ditch.
“He said she jumped it so well as she was third going into it, and she was then competitive, but he wondered if he had gone too early. Mark said she just took the bull by the horns at the last ditch. Mark didn’t want to get into it that far out, but he said what could he do. She was foot perfect from there on.
“She is a lovely mare. They are a good match, Mark and Dinoblue.
“It would look like that was her best performance. I can go back in the form book with my head, but certainly from a visual point of view it looked the best performance.
“Her jumping was just outstanding. There was no problem with anything, ground or trip. Her jumping was extraordinary and if you could have horses that jump like that every day of the week it would make the game easy.
“I think there are some mares races for her left this season; I imagine we will stay in that league.”
Gavin Cromwell was pleased with the effort of Only By Night, who was trying the trip for the first time under rules and stayed on strongly to take second.
He said: “We were delighted with the run and no doubt that she stayed. Everybody was asking the question if she would stay, and then in my head I was questioning it. I actually always thought she would have no problem with the trip. Everything went really well. Maybe if she was put into it earlier, who knows, but she was beaten by a very good mare and we are delighted with her.”
Dan Skelton, trainer of the third-placed Panic Attack, felt the performance would serve as a useful stepping stone towards the Randox Grand National at Aintree next month.
Skelton said: “She ran beautifully and jumped immaculately. She is a phenomenal jumper and I’m very proud of her. It was a beautiful Grand National trial over two and a half miles.
“We couldn’t quite win today in decent ground, but that is sometimes how the cookie crumbles.”
Mares’ Chase
£130,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 4f 127y, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
