The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase is one of the newest races added to the Cheltenham Festival. As the race closes in, our experts at GG will provide all the information you need in order to find the winner of the race, with tips and predictions aplenty.
Steve Chambers’ Mares’ Chase Tips
The favourite Dinoblue can oblige in the Mares’ Chase according to Steve Chambers. The mare won this readily a year ago and is the class horse in the race.
Joe Napier’s Mares’ Chase Tips
Joe Napier believes an each-way play on both July Flower and Only By Night could be worthwhile. The former boasts potential as a chaser, while the latter has strong form in the book in Grade 1 company.
Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase Bookmaker Odds – Race 3, Friday 14th March 2.40
All About The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase in 2026
The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase is the most recent addition to the Cheltenham Festival. The contest replaced the popular 2m4f novices’ handicap chase which is now run at Sandown on their Jumps finale card.
Whilst it has been argued that the addition of the Mares’ Chase to the Festival reduced the possibility of females taking on the males in races like the Ryanair Chase, the contested attracted a competitive field in 2024 and another strong line-up is expected to participate in 2025.
Willie Mullins had a 1-2 in the inaugural renewal of the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase in 2021, and he followed up in 2023 with Elimay just edging out Venetia Williams’ Pink Legend.
Qualifications/Trends
The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase is available to female horses aged five years or older. Horses carry 11st 2lb, but there are penalties depending upon the classification of races won prior to running in the race.
The race is run over a distance of 2m4f on Cheltenham’s New Course, traditionally seen as the stiffer of the two courses. As such, proven stamina can be advantageous and although 2021 winner Colreevy had yet to win beyond 2m4f under rules, she had run in a point-to-point over 3m at the start of her career and post-Cheltenham went on to land a Grade 1 over an extended 3m at the Punchestown Festival.
There’s only been three renewals of the race so it’s difficult to find many trends for the race, although all three races have been won by Irish-trained runners.
The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase has been a good race for Irish runners, with the first five home in 2021 Irish-trained, with another one-two secured in 2024.
2026 Mares’ Chase Prize Money
Last year’s connections of Dinoblue took home just over £73,000. However, with a total pot of over £120,000 ensuring plenty of compensation for the beaten horses, with prize money handed out to all seven horses who finished.
Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase History
The Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase is a Grade 2 open to mares run over an extended 2m4f of Cheltenham’s New Course.
The race had its inaugural renewal in 2021 with Colreevy landing the spoils for legendary trainer Willie Mullins. Mullins also sent out the 2nd and 4th placed horses in Elimay and Salsaretta, with previous Cheltenham Festival winner Shattered Love finishing 3rd for Denise Foster and owners Gigginstown House Stud.
Winners since 2021
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Colreevy | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 9/4 |
| 2022 | Elimay | Mark Walsh | Willie Mullins | 9/4 |
| 2023 | Impervious | Brian Hayes | Colm Murphy | 15/8 |
| 2024 | Limerick Lace | Keith Donoghue | Gavin Cromwell | 3/1 |
| 2025 | Dinoblue | Mark Walsh | Willie Mullins | 6/4F |