It is a day full of mares’ only races at Cheltenham on Thursday, with plenty of season-long series coming to conclusions. GG tipster Joe Napier has picked out his best bets across the card at Prestbury Park.
1.35 Cheltenham – KTDA Fillies’ Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Sainte Lucie may yet fulfil the promise of her debut for Willie Mullins, but she is conceding a stone or more to all but one of her rivals, and her Grade 1 form when last at the Dublin Racing Festival and then a 15-length eighth in the Triumph Hurdle, would not entitle her to win this off her current mark.
It could be worth keeping an eye on Lagoon Nebula now she is out of maiden hurdles, but the third Irish runner in the field in MAXIOS PRIME is the selection. Philip Rothwell’s filly had a trio of duck eggs to her formbook in maidens at Galway, Punchestown and Cork before falling at the last when travelling well on her handicap debut at Down Royal on Boxing Day.
She made amends for her first win in February despite another mistake at the last and gets to run off the minimum weight of 10st 2lb. Handicaps could prove the making of her, as it is more than likely she will continue her progress.
2.45 Cheltenham – Catesby Estates Mares’ Challenger Series Final Handicap Hurdle
This is as open a handicap as you’re likely to see, with claims to be made throughout the field. The standout regards potential progression is SHANTWOPOINTFIVE, whose form ties in with a few of these on Chepstow running from last month.
Warren Greatrex’s mare went off favourite when touched off by Greyval last time out. A mistake at a crucial time may have told late in the day, as she travelled like the winner before getting overhauled after the last. Behind the pair, all of Pawapuri, Molto Bene and Ile De Jersey were beaten fairly comfortably.
The selection is up just 3lb, so should confirm form with those and has every opportunity of overturning running with the winner even with just 1lb better terms. More is likely to come from her over this sort of trip and on livelier ground.
3.20 Cheltenham – Aston Martin Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Chase
They have been running in strong mares’ races in their homeland, but neither A Penny A Hundred or Judicieuse Allen are so obviously ahead of their British handicap marks here. One who could be is fellow Irish raider THEATRE NATIVE for Henry De Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore, who gets 8lb from the aforementioned Closutton duo.
Theatre Native may not have been the easiest to train last season, with her form swinging wildly in and out. However, this term, she has been much more consistent, finishing third to Arkle runner-up Only By Night while ahead of the likes of Westport Cove (now rated 140) and Conyers Hill (129). She was also beaten less than two lengths by the now 138-rated Springt De La Mare on her second chase start.
It was slightly disappointing that she was only second at Thurles last time out, but the winner had an experience edge and she was still 15 lengths and more clear of the rest. An initial rating of 125 is just 2lb higher than her Irish one, which is more than fair, and the fact Blackmore comes across to ride is also significant.
3.55 Cheltenham – Changing Young Lives At Jamie’s Farm Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
Backing against another Willie Mullins runner may prove foolish, as he is surely likely to sed out one winner, but Sainte Tartare’s price only serves to make fellow Irish challenger THE GREAT NUDIE’s look too big in current markets.
Colin Bowe’s mare beat Sainte Tartare on their respective hurdling debut at Tramore back in November. Since then, she has been tried at a high level, finishing second to Supreme runner-up William Munny in a Punchestown Listed race among four starts, one of which she won comfortably from a subsequent Grade 3 favourite.
Her sixth in a mares’ Grade 3 last time was slightly underwhelming, but she only faded late on and was conceding weight all round. Back slightly in trip, she still has potential and is the joint-highest rated in the line-up.
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