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Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle
Grade 1, Cheltenham 15:20
£120,000 guaranteed,
4yo plus,
2m 3f 200y, Class 1  
Tuesday 11th March 2025

FormRatings

Trained by Gordon Elliott and owned by Gigginstown House Stud, Brighterdaysahead has demonstrated impressive form leading up to the Festival. Notably, she secured a commanding 30-length victory in a Grade 1 race over the Christmas period, showcasing her dominance in the field. This performance has earned her entries in both the Champion Hurdle and the Mares' Hurdle, indicating the high regard in which she is held by her connections. Her proven ability at the highest level makes her a formidable contender in the Mares' Hurdle. 

A six-year-old grey mare trained by Willie Mullins for owner Mrs. S. Ricci, Lossiemouth boasts an impressive record at Cheltenham. She is unbeaten in three runs at the course, including two victories at the Cheltenham Festival, highlighting her affinity for the track. Her consistent performances have solidified her status as a leading contender in the Mares' Hurdle. 

While specific recent form details for July Flower are limited, she is among the potential runners for the Mares' Hurdle. Her participation would add depth to the field, and further insights into her recent performances would be beneficial for a comprehensive assessment.

Jade De Grugy has thrown her hat into the ring as Willie Mullins’ leading contender after an impressive return to action at Punchestown on February 20.

A Grade One winner at Fairyhouse last spring, the six-year-old made a seamless comeback in the BetVictor Quevega Mares Hurdle, moving stylishly under Paul Townend before stretching six lengths clear of 40-1 outsider Mousey Brown.

Bookmakers reacted, with Coral cutting her to 3-1 from 4-1 for Cheltenham, warning she could yet go off favourite if stablemate Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead opt for the Champion Hurdle.

Mullins was delighted: “She had worked well at home, and she showed today what we’ve been seeing. She’ll improve again for the run, which puts us in a strong position heading to Cheltenham.”

With no ground concerns and a proven ability at the top level, Jade De Grugy has firmly entered the Festival conversation.

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Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle
(For The David Nicholson Mares’ Trophy )
£120,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 3f 200y, Class 1
23 remaining entries
Going:

NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY (form as of Feb 20)
1 691163 All The Glory 8 11-5 Jonjo & A J O'Neill
2 21-111 Brighterdaysahead 6 11-5 Gordon Elliott
3 1-1P44 Casa No Mento 7 11-5 Nigel Twiston-Davies
4 111-37 Dysart Enos 7 11-5 Fergal O'Brien
5 3-1333 Feet Of A Dancer 6 11-5 Paul Nolan
6 336-23 Gala Marceau 6 11-5 W P Mullins
7 11-431 Golden Ace 7 11-5 Jeremy Scott
8 1-2PFF Got Glory 7 11-5 W P Mullins
9 1-1121 Hollygrove Cha Cha 5 11-5 Jamie Snowden
10 1141-1 Jade De Grugy 6 11-5 W P Mullins
11 -21531 Jetara 7 11-5 Mrs John Harrington
12 223-31 July Flower 6 11-5 Henry De Bromhead
13 15-122 Kala Conti 5 11-5 Gordon Elliott
14 122-12 Kargese 5 11-5 W P Mullins
15 /14-74 Lantry Lady 7 11-5 Henry De Bromhead
16 1-112F Lossiemouth 6 11-5 W P Mullins
17 8-1164 Lot Of Joy 7 11-5 W P Mullins
18 4/711- Nurse Susan 8 11-5 Dan Skelton
19 36P46P Pinot Rouge 7 11-5 Susan Corbett
20 111-26 Queens Gamble 7 11-5 Harry Derham
21 431531 Take No Chances 7 11-5 Dan Skelton
22 -45344 West Balboa 9 11-5 Dan Skelton
23 3-1413 Wyenot 6 11-5 Henry Daly

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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

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