Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle |
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| Grade 1, Cheltenham 15:20 £120,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 3f 200y, Class 1  |
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1 Lossiemouth 4/6F
2 Jade De Grugy
5/1
3 Take No Chances
22/1
10 ran NR: Casa No Mento Distances: 7½l, 1¾l, 1½l
Time: 4m 53.87s (slow by 10.87s)
Lossiemouth does it EMPHATICALLY 👏
— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) March 11, 2025
She retains her @closebrothers Mares' crown 👑 pic.twitter.com/YmoAT4UeWc
Lossiemouth delivered another masterclass at Cheltenham as she successfully defended her Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle crown, cementing her status as one of the Festival’s modern-day stars.
Twelve months on from her first triumph in this race, the Rich Ricci-owned grey was sent off the 4-6 favourite and barely gave her backers a moment of worry. Tracking stablemate Jade De Grugy throughout, Paul Townend had Lossiemouth poised on the shoulder of the leader before deciding enough was enough.
Jade De Grugy attempted to raise the tempo, but as soon as Townend pressed the button, Lossiemouth eased past before soa5ring over the last and stretching away to win by seven and a half lengths, recording her third Festival success in scintillating style. Take No Chances stayed on for third, the best of the British runners for Dan Skelton.
Much of the pre-Festival debate revolved around whether Lossiemouth would take her chance in the Champion Hurdle, a path that seemed certain until a last-minute change of heart from connections. Two defeats earlier in the season may have raised some doubts, but ultimately, Mullins felt the Mares’ Hurdle was the right call.
“As a trainer, I just didn’t see the work to suggest she should run in the Champion Hurdle,” Mullins admitted. “It was disappointing to change our minds after two years of planning, but I think it was the right decision for the owners.
“For these big owners, it’s all about Cheltenham winners. Paul wasn’t going to ride her in the Champion Hurdle, and when he said that, it was a pretty big clue. But everything worked out, and she’s now got three wins here, which puts her in a league of her own.”
As for the future, Mullins was keeping his options open.
“I’m not going to open my mouth again about next year!” he joked. “But if people want to see that battle (with the geldings), they can come to Ireland to take her on, or maybe we’ll look at Liverpool for the Aintree Hurdle. It doesn’t all have to be about one day here.”
Skelton proud of Take No Chances
Dan Skelton was thrilled with Take No Chances’ run, finishing third in a race he firmly believes should remain part of the Festival.
“She’s run a stormer. The best we could have been was second, and we nearly were – Lossiemouth is just different class,” Skelton said.
“She could go again, Sandown is a possibility, and we may even look at the mares’ race at Punchestown.”
The debate over the Mares’ Hurdle’s place in the Festival schedule continues, but for Skelton, there’s no question.
“This was my first Grade One winner at the Festival, and I strongly believe this race has to stay. Maybe it needs a tweak, but scrapping it would be a big step backwards for the industry and the breed.”
Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle
(For The David Nicholson Mares’ Trophy
)
£120,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 3f 200y, Class 1
10 ran
Going: Good to Soft
POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 Lossiemouth 6 11-5 W P Mullins Paul Townend 4/6F
2 7½ Jade De Grugy 6 11-5 W P Mullins Danny Mullins 5/1
3 1¾ Take No Chances 7 11-5 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 22/1
4 1½ Jetara 7 11-5 Mrs John Harrington Sam Ewing 33/1
5 2 July Flower 6 11-5 Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore 8/1
6 ½ Joyeuse 6 11-5 Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville 12/1
7 4¾ Kala Conti 5 11-5 Gordon Elliott Jack Kennedy 16/1
8 ¾ Dysart Enos 7 11-5 Fergal O'Brien Jonathan Burke 28/1
9 3¾ Queens Gamble 7 11-5 Harry Derham Paul O'Brien 66/1
FELL Gala Marceau 6 11-5 W P Mullins Brian Hayes 66/1
NR Casa No Mento 7 11-5 Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies
OLBG MARES’ HURDLE PAST RESULTS
Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer Owner SP Ran
2024 Lossiemouth 5 11-5 Paul Townend W P Mullins Mrs S Ricci 8/13F 11
2023 Honeysuckle 9 11-5 Rachael Blackmore Henry De Bromhead Kenneth Alexander 9/4J 9
2022 Marie's Rock 7 11-5 Nico de Boinville Nicky Henderson Middleham Park Racing XLII 18/1 12
2021 Black Tears 7 11-5 Jack Kennedy Mrs Denise Foster Mrs Caren Walsh & John Lightfoot 11/1 10
2020 Honeysuckle 6 11-05 Rachael Blackmore Henry De Bromhead Kenneth Alexander 9/4 9
2019 Roksana 7-11-05 Harry Skelton Dan Skelton Sarah Faulks 10/1 14
2018-WINNER-BENIE DES DIEUX 7-11-05 Owner-Susannah Ricci; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-9/2
2ND-Midnight Tour 8-11-05 Owner-James & Jean Potter; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-33/1
3RD-Apple’s Jade 6-11-05 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Gordon Elliott IRE; Jockey-Jack Kennedy; SP-1/2 Fav
9 ran, Time-5m 10.10s; Dist-½, 1
2017-WINNER-APPLE’S JADE 5-11-05 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Gordon Elliott IRE; Jockey-Bryan Cooper; SP-7/2
2ND-Vroum Vroum Mag 8-11-05 Owner-Susannah Ricci; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-11/4
3RD-Limini 6-11-05 Owner-Susannah Ricci; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-6/4 Fav 17 ran, Time-4m 50.20s; Dist-11⁄2, ns
2016-WINNER-VROUM VROUM MAG 7-11-05 Owner-Susannah Ricci; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-4/6 Fav
2ND-Rock On The Moor 8-11-05 Owner-R Irwin; Trainer-Jessica Harrington IRE; Jockey-Robbie Power; SP-66/1
3RD-Legacy Gold 8-11-05 Owner-Roger Brookhouse; Trainer-Stuart Crawford IRE; Jockey-Andrew Lynch; SP-40/1
19 ran, Time-4m 45.00s; Dist-23⁄4, 1⁄2
2015-WINNER-GLENS MELODY 7-11-05 Owner-Fiona McStay; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-6/1
2ND-Polly Peachum 7-11-05 Owner-Lady Tennant; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-9/1
3RD-Bitofapuzzle 7-11-05 Owner-Chris Giles & Potensis Bloodstock Ltd; Trainer-Harry Fry; Jockey-Noel Fehily; SP-16/1
15 ran, Time-4m 51.10s; Dist-hd, nk 1/2 Fav Annie Power (Fell)
2014-WINNER-QUEVEGA 10-11-05 Owner-Hammer & Trowel Syndicate; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP- 8/11 Fav
2ND-Glens Melody 6-11-05 Owner-Fiona McStay; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-14/1
3RD-L’Unique 5-11-05 Owner-Denis Barry; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-25/1
16 ran, Time-4m 44.60s; Dist-¾, ¾
2013-WINNER-QUEVEGA 9-11-05 Owner-Hammer & Trowel Syndicate; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP- 8/11 Fav
2ND-Sirene D'Ainay 7-11-05 Owner-Stephane Milaveau; Trainer-Emmanuel Clayeux FR; Jockey-Jonathan Plouganou; SP-33/1
3RD-Swincombe Flame 7-11-00 Owner-Yeo Racing Partnership; Trainer-Nick Williams; Jockey-Daryl Jacob; SP-40/1
19 ran, Time-4m 55.46s Dist-1½, 2
2012-WINNER-QUEVEGA 8-11-05 Owner-Hammer & Trowel Syndicate; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP- 4/7 Fav
2ND Kentford Grey Lady 6-11-00 Owner-Ian Bare; Trainer-Emma Lavelle; Jockey-Noel Fehily; SP-14/1
3RD Golden Sunbird 8-11-03 Owner-Jim Mernagh; Trainer-Paul Nolan IRE; Jockey-Robbie Power; SP-66/1
19 ran, Time-4m 51.30s Dist-4, nk
2011-WINNER-QUEVEGA 7-11-05 Owner-Hammer & Trowel Syndicate; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-5/6 Fav
2ND Sparky May 6-11-05 Owner-Bill Muddyman; Trainer-Pat Rodford; Jockey-Keiran Burke; SP-4/1
3RD Ocean Transit 6-11-00 Owner-Ocean’s Five; Trainer-Richard Price; Jockey-David Bass; SP-50/1
14 ran, Time-4m 48.08s Dist-10, 1
2010-WINNER-QUEVEGA 6-11-05 Owner-Hammer & Trowel Syndicate; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-6/4 Fav
2ND Carole’s Legacy 6-11-00 Owner-Paul Murphy; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Andrew Tinkler; SP-20/1
3RD Voler La Vedette 6-11-05 Owner-Mrs M Brophy; Trainer-Colm Murphy IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-9/4
17 ran, Time-4m 45.40s Dist-4½, 1¼
2009-WINNER-QUEVEGA 5-11-03 Owner-Hammer & Trowel Syndicate; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-2/1 Fav
2ND United 8-11-05 Owner-R B Holt; Trainer-Lucy Wadham; Jockey-Dominic Elsworth; SP-100/30
3RD Aura About You 6-11-00 Owner-Jim Mernagh; Trainer-Paul Nolan IRE; Jockey-Alain Cawley; SP-28/1 21 ran, Time-4m 55.20s Dist-14, sh
2008-WINNER-WHITEOAK 5-11-00 Owner-Brendan Richardson; Trainer-Donald McCain Jnr; Jockey-Jason Maguire; SP-20/1
2ND Refinement 9-11-05 Owner-Michael Tabor; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Tony McCoy; 10/1
3RD Chomba Womba 7-11-05 Owner-Richard & Lizzie Kelvin Hughes; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mick Fitzgerald; SP-100/30 Fav
13 ran, Time-5m 1.40s Dist-sh, 2½
