Mares’ Steeple Chase

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The Liberthine Mares’ Chase is a new addition to the UK’s National Hunt race programme for mares. This brand-new, Grade 2 steeplechase race will take place over a two-and-a-half-mile course as Cheltenham. The race is scheduled for Friday, March 18th at 16:50.

In 2019, the Festival first announced the introduction of the new event. Paddy Power became the first sponsor, agreeing to a three-year deal. The tweak to the Festival meant that a race would need to be eliminated. Ultimately, the Festival discontinued the Novices’, Handicap Chase.

The Mares’ Chase is now set to open the final day of racing at Cheltenham. This prime race card real estate means that the race is likely to draw significant betting interest. It is also expected to encourage owners to train more racing mares for Jump rules.

Mares’ Chase: Tips and Predictions

Note: the predictions below refer to the 2021 running of this race – preview will be updated closer to the beginning of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival.

Willie Mullins has an exceptional record with mares and he fires four of the 11 contenders at this new Cheltenham Festival race. Given his utter domination of the Dawn Run since it was added in 2016, it’s probably not wise to oppose him. Colreevy was fifth in the aforementioned hurdles race here last March but is now 3-3 over fences. She has taken on and beaten males but so, too, has stablemate ELIMAY. She gave Allaho a proper race at Thurles in January (second) over this trip and dismissed Shattered Love easily at Naas last time over 2m. She’s top-rated and can give JP McManus’ colours a winning run in what has been a quiet Festival for them.

Enda McElhinney’s Selection: Elimay

2021 Winner: Colreevy (P Townend) 9/4

Mares’ Chase: Betting Odds

Mares’ Chase: Recent Winners