Architect Tips likes a Fergal O’Brien trained horse in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Mares Novices Hurdle
With only four weeks to go until the start of the Cheltenham Festival, in this week’s edition of the ante-post series, I am looking ahead to the Mares' Novices’ Hurdle now that the next stage of the entries has been revealed.
You can track all of my ante-post selections on the Cheltenham tips page.
Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle 2024 Preview
- All the big guns have been entered
- Jade De Grugy is a solid ante-post favourite
- Dysart Enos can serve it up to the Irish
Jade De Grugy to add to her owner's good record
The Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle ante-post market currently has the Willie Mullins-trained Jade De Grugy as the 5/2 favourite. This highly-regarded mare has won both her starts in the manner of a top-class prospect.
Given how impressively she dismantled her rivals when returning a 17-length winner on her hurdles debut at Leopardstown, she enhanced that sparkling display when she stepped up to the plate in the Grade 3 SBK Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle.
Just like she did the last day, she tanked her way around, jumped with a good degree of proficiency, and finished her race very strongly, in which she scored by a widening six and a half lengths under substitute Brian Hayes.
Owner Kenny Alexander now appears to have another serious candidate for this particular race at the Cheltenham Festival. It is a race he is familiar with, given that he won it with Telmesomethinggirl three years ago.
She will be dropping in distance at the Cheltenham Festival, having won over 2m4f and 2m2f on her pair of outings at Leopardstown and Fairyhouse, but she has a lot of speed, and the drop in trip could prove beneficial rather than a hindrance.
Brighterdaysahead should run well
Another highly-promising mare that will head to the Cheltenham Festival to tackle the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle is Gordon Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead (11/4 on BetMGM UK) after recording a 12-length win in the Listed Apple’s Jade Mares Novice Hurdle.
While it appeared to not be the strongest of Listed races, she could hardly have been more impressive, in which she extended her unbeaten record to five wins from five starts. That latest win did come over 2m5f, but while the drop-in trip at Cheltenham will ask more questions, she could answer them.
For instance, in that win at Navan, she recorded the quickest time on the card. That being said, a comparison between her decisive win and the Boyne Hurdle should be taken with a pinch of salt, given the latter won a slowly run race. Still, the former was mightily impressive.
She will be carrying an extra 5Ib, but the last two winners of the race coincidentally carried it, and any arrival of rain would aid her cause. She has a high cruising speed, possesses a gear or two in the locker, and will be suited to the stiff uphill finish at Cheltenham. Her chance is there for all to see.
Fergal’s Dysart Enos appeals the most
With the two big guns from Ireland now spoken about, attention is turned to the only realistic challenger from Britain. well, according to the betting at least. The horse in question is Fergal O’Brien’s Dysart Enos (4/1 on William Hill), who is unbeaten in six starts with three bumper wins as well as three hurdle wins.
Reportedly the quickest horse her trainer has had, the six-year-old wrapped up her unblemished bumper season with a nine-length success in a Grade 2 at Aintree, in which she beat Golden Ace, who has subsequently boosted the form by winning both of her starts over hurdles.
Her transition to hurdles saw her win by more than seven lengths at Huntingdon on her hurdles debut, prior to doubling her tally over timber at this course when defeating Beat The Bat by two and three quarters of a length, where her jumping was slick and nimble throughout.
Sent off as the 1/9 favourite for the Download The At The Races App Novices' Hurdle at Doncaster, her jumping wasn’t as electric on this occasion, but she still defeated her rivals in a canter, winning by seven lengths. She still holds an entry in the Supreme, but this looks like her main target.
This will be her toughest task to date, but she has loads of upside about her, with improvement forthcoming, and there’s a feeling she could outclass the field. Either way, it is great to see all three main players stand their ground at the latest entry stage of the contest.
Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Odds
| Horse | Best Odds | Worst Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Jade De Grugy | 5/2 | 9/4 |
| Brighterdaysahead | 11/4 | 5/2 |
| Dysart Enos | 4/1 | 3/1 |
| Fun Fun Fun | 12/1 | 7/1 |
| Joyeuse | 14/1 | 12/1 |
Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Ante-Post Tips
Given that all three at the top of the market have yet to taste defeat and are open to improvement, this year’s renewal is fascinating in every aspect.
I really like the profile of Willie Mullins’ Jade De Grugy, who represents an owner and trainer with a good record in the race and has looked impressive in gaining both hurdle wins. She could be special, as could Brighterdaysahead, who is another unbeaten mare from Ireland with more to come.
However, I feel as though the value lies with DYSART ENOS (best price 4/1). She has the course form in the book, having won here on her penultimate start, and has done very little wrong in all six victories to date. Moreover, she will receive weight from her two biggest rivals and has won under various conditions.
Fergal O’Brien is still in search of that maiden Cheltenham Festival winner, which still eludes him, but this mare must have a serious chance of changing that.
