Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
Grade 2, Cheltenham 13:20 £105,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus mares, 2m 179y, Class 1
Tweet Thursday 13th March 2025

1 Air Of Entitlement 16/1
2 Sixandahalf 85/40F
3 Diva Luna 12/1
4 Karoline Banbou 10/1
23 ran NR: Disco Dancer Distances: ½l, 6l, 2½l
Time: 4m 4.26s (slow by 7.26s)

🍑 Rachael Blackmore - that is a super, super ride.

✅️ AIR OF ENTITLEMENT wins the Mares Novice Hurdle for Henry de Bromhead.

😬 SIXANDAHALF must have traded very, very short...pic.twitter.com/p8p6F7FjML

— Road To Cheltenham (@RoadCheltenham) March 13, 2025

St Patrick’s Thursday got off to a dream start for the Irish as Air Of Entitlement  timed her run to perfection, swooping late to deny fellow Irish challenger Sixandahalf by half a length.

For Henry de Bromhead, it was a performance that echoed past successes: "We knew she had stamina, and the New Course plays to those strengths. We’re always mindful of being too handy in this race, but Rachael judged it spot on. They went a proper gallop, and she gave her a lovely ride—it reminded me a bit of Telmesomethinggirl a few years ago."

It was a patient ride from Blackmore, settling further forward than usual but with enough in reserve when it mattered.

"I thought when we winged the last, we had a real chance. That hill is a long way home, but she kept finding. Keith (Donoghue) had been up there the whole way, and historically, that hasn’t worked out well in this race. I’m just delighted—it’s brilliant for Robcour, who are such great supporters of the yard."

For Blackmore, it was a poignant victory on an emotional day. "Cheltenham is always magical, but this one is for my cousin, Robert Blackmore, who sadly passed away at the weekend. His funeral is today, so I want to dedicate this to him."

After a quieter first two days for the de Bromhead team, she was quick to praise her boss: "Henry does an incredible job getting them here in top shape—they always run above themselves, and I’m just very lucky to ride them."

For Gavin Cromwell, it was a case of what might have been as Sixandahalf hit the front but couldn’t quite hold on. "She ran a brilliant race, jumped and travelled beautifully. I really thought after the last she was going to go on and win, but we probably could have done with something taking us a bit further. She’s lost nothing in defeat."

Jockey Keith Donoghue echoed those sentiments: "She jumped the last a little high and just started looking around. She’s run an absolute cracker, but it’s frustrating to get caught so late."

Back in third, Diva Luna ran a stormer for Ben Pauling, staying on strongly after the last. "She’s been in great form at home, but this was still a big ask. She’s run a blinder, missed the last, but it didn’t cost her a place. I couldn’t be happier with her, and she might go again before the season’s out."

Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
(Registered as the Dawn Run Novices' Hurdle)
Grade 2, £105,000 guaranteed, 4yo+ mares, 2m 179y, Class 1  
23 runners
Going: Good to Soft

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1     Air Of Entitlement 6 11-4 Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore 16/1
2 ½ Sixandahalf 5 11-4 Gavin Cromwell Keith Donoghue 85/40F
3 6 Diva Luna 6 11-4 Ben Pauling Ben Jones 12/1
4 2½ Karoline Banbou 5 11-4 W P Mullins Mark Walsh 10/1
5 2¼ Metkayina 6 11-4 Noel Williams Jonathan Burke 50/1
6 nk Galileo Dame 4 10-8 Joseph O'Brien J J Slevin 9/2
7 2 Karamoja 5 11-4 W P Mullins Jack Kennedy 28/1
8 5½ Jubilee Alpha 6 11-4 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden 15/2
9 nk Tour Ovalie 6 11-4 Evan Williams Isabel Williams 100/1
10 ½ Jane Eire 5 11-4 Henry De Bromhead Sean Bowen 66/1
11 2 Aurora Vega 7 11-4 W P Mullins Paul Townend 9/1
12 ¾ Magic McColgan 6 11-4 W P Mullins Danny Mullins 100/1
13 2 Kitty Foyle 5 11-4 Daisy Hitchins Harry Reed 200/1
14 2 Kimi De Mai h 5 11-4 W P Mullins Sean O'Keefe 66/1
15 nk Queenie St Clair 5 11-4 E Sheehy Sean Flanagan 250/1
16 ¾ Venusienne 5 11-4 W P Mullins Brian Hayes 33/1
17 2¼ Mystical Goddess 6 11-4 Henry De Bromhead Darragh O'Keeffe 150/1
18 12 Brendas Asking 7 11-4 Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls Tom Bellamy 200/1
19 1¼ Lagertha 5 11-4 Katy Price Shane Fitzgerald 200/1
20 18 Maughreen 6 11-4 W P Mullins Mr P W Mullins 11/1
PU Bluey 6 11-4 Emma Lavelle Harry Skelton 14/1
PU Just A Rose 6 11-4 Paul Nicholls Freddie Gingell 25/1
PU Hollygrove Cha Cha 5 11-4 Jamie Snowden Gavin Sheehan 22/1
WD Disco Dancer 6 11-4 Gordon Elliott WITHDRAWN

Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Past Results

Year Winner Age/Wt Owner Trainer Jockey SP Ran

2024 Golden Ace 6 11-02 I F Gosden Jeremy Scott Lorcan Williams 10/1 8

2023 You Wear It Well 6 11-07 Sir Chips Keswick Jamie Snowden Gavin Sheehan 16/1 21

2022 Love Envoi 6 11-07 Noel Fehily Racing Syndicates Harry Fry Jonathan Burke 15/2 19

2021 Telmesomethinggirl 6 11-02 Kenneth Alexander Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore 5/1 15

2020 Concertista 6-11-02 Simon Munir & Isaac Souede W P Mullins Daryl Jacob 9/2 22

2019 Eglantine du Seuil 5-11-02 Sullivan Bloodstock Limited Willie Mullins IRE Noel Fehily 50/1 22

2019-WINNER- DU SEUIL 5-11-02 Owner-Sullivan Bloodstock Limited; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Noel Fehily; SP-50/1
2ND-Concertista 5-11-02 Owner-Simon Munir & Isaac Souede; Trainer-Willie Mulllins IRE; Jockey-Danny Mullins; SP-66/1
3RD-Tintangle 6-11-05 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Jack Kennedy; SP-40/1
22 ran, Time- 4m 51.09s, Dist-sh, 1¾ 15/8 Fav Epatante (9th)

2018-WINNER-LAURINA 5-11-07 Owner-Sullivan Bloodstock Limited; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-4/7 Fav
2ND-Cap Soleil 5-11-07 Owner-Mrs S A Noott; Trainer-Fergal O’Brien; Jockey-Paddy Brennan; SP-10/1
3RD-Champayne Lady 6-11-02 Owner-Rory Connell; Trainer-Alan Fleming IRE; Jockey-Denis O’Regan; SP-80/1
14 ran, Time-4m 15.40s, Dist-18, sh

2017-WINNER-LET’S DANCE 5-11-07 Owner-Susannah Ricci; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-11/8 Fav
2ND-Barra 6-11-02 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Gordon Elliott IRE; Jockey-Bryan Cooper; SP-12/1
3RD-Dusky Legend 7-11-05 Owner-Richard & Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Wayne Hutchinson; SP-20/1
16 ran, Time-4m 2.00s, Dist-2¾, nk

2016-WINNER-LIMINI 5-11-07 Owner-Susannah Ricci; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-8/11 Fav
2ND-Dusky Legend 6-11-02 Owner-Richard & Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Wayne Hutchinson; SP-50/1
3RD-Bloody Mary 5-11-07 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-7/1
16 ran, Time-3m 58.00s, Dist-4½, 2½