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The Jack De Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle is the second youngest race at the Festival (the Mares Chase being the youngest), run over two miles and 179 yards of the new course. The race has only been run seven times with Willie Mullins winning five of them. Of the seven runnings, we’ve had three skinny favourites obliging, two second favourites, a 15/2 chance and a 50/1 rag. Last year’s renewal fell to Harry Fry’s Love Envoi.
Luccia
Warm favourite here and Nicky Henderson’s mare has an unbeaten record on the line. Looked good in winning two bumpers and two novice hurdles latterly at Exeter in listed company. Looks smart and the one to beat though has to shoulder a 5lb penalty. Nico De Boinville takes the reigns.
Magical Zoe
One of 5 Henry De Bromhead runners in a race named after his late son. Unbeaten in a bumper and two novice hurdles. Beat Nikini a length last time and Aidan Heskin takes the ride. There will be a 5lb penalty to carry here.
You Wear It Well
Has won 3 of her 4 hurdles with her only defeat coming at the hands of the smart Hermes Allen in the grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury on New Year’s Eve. Bolted up in the Jane Seymour Mares’ Nov Hurdle at Sandown since. Claims although dropping in distance is not certain to suit. Trained by Jamie Snowden and ridden by Gavin Sheehan. 5lb penalty to carry.
Belle The Lioness
Another Henry De Bromhead trained runner, this one ridden by Darragh O’Keeffe. Landed the odds when breaking her duck over hurdles in Thurles maiden last time out and will need to step forward to take a hand in finish. 3lb penalty here.
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Ahorsewithnoname
Was runner-up in this race last season at 50/1 to Love Envoi and subsequently won twice on the level. Major flop at odds on when last seen on Boxing Day and Nicky Henderson has others with better chances today.
Banntown Girl
Only won one of her career twelve starts and is up against it here for Irish handler Stephen Gerard Carey and jockey Keith Donoghue.
Endless Escape
Former point to pointer who’s run up a sequence of four wins in minor novice hurdle company under Ben Jones for trainer Ben Clarke. This is much tougher and needs to step up again.
Foxy Girl
Another Henry De Bromhead runner with Rachael Blackmore taking the ride. Broke her duck last time when winning a Limerick maiden hurdle by 4L from a Mullins runner who’s won since. Unexposed and could possibly take a hand in finish.
Halka Du Tabert
A point-to-point winner (by 45L), a bumper and a maiden hurdle before a credible third in grade 3 company at Fairyhouse in January. Only rated 3lb behind favourite Luccia at these weights and holds each-way claims with Davy Russell riding for Gordon Elliott.
Jetara
Stepped her game up when runner-up in grade 3 mares novice hurdle at Fairyhouse last time when going down by a length and a quarter to Ashroe Diamond. Jessie Harrington’s charge has small each-way claims.
Ladybank
Runs in the Honeysuckle colours of Kenny Alexander and another trained by Henry De Bromhead. Dead heated with Princess Zoe in a maiden hurdle at 40/1 at Punchestown in January. Aidan Coleman takes over here and will need to raise her game.
Lot Of Joy
One of two Willie Mullins runners and the pick of stable jockey Paul Townend. Very easy winner of Fairyhouse maiden hurdle at odds of 1/7 following two second places in maiden hurdles. Hard to assess but connections suggest she’s a player.
Mullenbeg
Won 3 of her 7 starts over hurdles for trainer Milton Harris. Best effort, however, was last time at Kempton when chasing home the Paul Nicholls-trained Rubaud in a grade 2 hurdle. Will need to improve again to feature.
Nikini
Willie Mullins’ ‘2nd’ string ridden by Patrick Mullins. Beaten a length by Magical Zoe at Down Royal last time in grade 3 company and 5lb better off here so should turn the tables. Solid each-way chance.
Poetic Music
Locally trained by Fergal O’Brien. 6th in last year’s Champion Bumper here and has taken well enough to timber winning twice. Was 11 1/2L behind Luccia at Newbury in November and 5lb better off now. Looks held.
Princess Zoe
Very smart flat performer in the care of Thomas Mullins. Joined on post on hurdling debut at Punchestown by 40/1 poke Ladybank. Will need to do better here but is rated 106 on the flat so could well do that under Danny Mullins.
Shecouldbeanything
Another Gordon Elliot runner who’s shown decent enough form in listed/grade 2 company on last two starts. Ridden by Jordan Gainford here and only has officially 2lb to find with Luccia. Lively outsider.
Still Ciel
The weakest of the De Bromhead quintet and looks out of her depth here. More likely to finish last than first!
The Model Kingdom
A consistent mare trained by Noel Meade. Kept good company on last two starts but likely to find several of these too good for her.
Inspiratrice
Rank outsider trained in the West Country by Nicky Martin. Shown nowhere near enough to trouble the placings.
Under Control
Very interesting runner from the same yard as Luccia. Owned by JP McManus and ridden here by Mark Walsh, she’s won two hurdle races, firstly in France before joining Nicky Henderson and winning comfortably in a Newbury juvenile hurdle. Trainer mooted afterwards that she was more likely to go to Aintree but she’s obviously come out of that win well and looks a player here getting weight from all as she’s a four-year-old.
Jack De Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Tips
Luccia is the obvious one and will be hard to beat although she does have to carry a 5lb penalty here like dangers Magical Zoe and You Wear It Well. Her class may tell and she can take this with her stable companion Under Control who won on the bridle at Newbury a fortnight ago the best outsider.
2 Under Control @ 14/1 with Bet365
3 Lot Of Joy @ 11/2 with BetVictor
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All odds are correct at the time of writing.
