Mares' Chase Tips & Predictions
One of the newest races of the Festival, the Mares’ Chase is a Grade 2 event run over 2m4½f and it takes place on Day 4, with the Irish having won all four runnings since its inception in 2021.
Willie Mullins’ Colreevy and Elimay won the first two stagings before Colm Murphy’s Impervious did the business in 2023 and Limerick Lace, last year’s winner, will be bidding to follow up once again.
A field of nine are set to go to post and the off time for the race is 14:40, with the Willie Mullins-trained Dinoblue heading the market.
NAP: Limerick Lace @ 11/2
Last year’s winner Limerick Lace is less fancied in the market than two horses who finished behind her last year and, on that evidence, she’s the clear value play.
There was plenty to like about her performance last year, she was always up with the pace and travelled well throughout the race.
Flashing her tail in the closing stages, she had more in hand than the official margin suggests, which makes it hard to see how Dinoblue can gain her revenge.
Gavin Cromwell’s mare hasn’t been in the best of form so far this season, but she did manage to finish second behind Allegorie De Vassy at Fairyhouse last time out.
Her rival finished 25 lengths ahead that day, but on a left-handed track, Limerick Lace should be capable of turning the tables.
Cromwell is a particularly good target trainer and you can all but guarantee she’ll be back to her best and firing on all cylinders ahead of this task and she won’t give up the crown without a fight.
NB: Shecoulbeanything @ 12/1
Gordon Elliott runs Shecouldbeanything here, and this mare has been very progressive since switching to fences in September.
She easily got the better of a Pink In The Park, a Willie Mullins horse who has since won a Listed race in a mares’ novice chase at Listowel.
Taking the step up to Grade 3 level in her stride at Tipperary next time, she managed to beat the boys that day and saw out the 2m4f trip well.
Elliott’s eight-year-old was last seen finishing third behind a couple of useful mares in a Grade 2 at Limerick over Christmas, and while more will be needed here, the return to better ground will suit, and she was probably due a short break.
Also consider: Fontaine Collonges @ 28/1
Fontaine Collonges can sometimes be like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get, but she’s very talented when on a going day.
Venetia Williams came within half-a-length of winning this race with Pink Legend in 2022, who also finished third the following year, and this mare has a similar profile.
This strong stayer made a competitive handicap look anything but when bolting up at Haydock on seasonal debut and she was a wide-margin winner of the Rowland Merick in 2023.
A stiff test of stamina will suit, so if Charlie Deutsch can get her into a good rhythm with a positive ride, it wouldn’t be the biggest shock to see her make the frame.
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation