Racecards
16:15 Cheltenham
Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase (Registered As The Liberthine Mares' Chase) (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 127y
- Going: Good to Soft (Good in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £90,000 added
- Winner: £50,643
- 2nd: £19,080
- 3rd: £9,549
- 4th: £4,770
- Form 125-111
- Age 8
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 150
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Paul Townend
led until 2nd, led 6th , headed next, led and tended to jump right from 8th, hard pressed 2 out, headed narrowly 150 yards out, edged right, led and brushed rival 75 yards out, stayed on
Elimay (FR)
34- Form 111-221
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 155
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Mark Walsh
held up in touch, closed to press winner from 9th, carried right at some of the fences after, driven after 2 out, led narrowly 150 yards out, headed and brushed by winner 75 yards out, held after, stayed on
- Form 1111-F5
- Age 8
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 149
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Brian Hayes
chased leaders, lost place 4th, mistake 7th, headway on outside from 11th, outpaced when stumbled 3 out, went 4th from 2 out, no impression
- Form 0-31238
- Age 9
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 148
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Rachael Blackmore
soon not going well towards rear, pulled up before 8th
- Form 321-12F
- Age 8
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 141
held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, mistake 12th, well beaten when mistake 4 out, never involved
- Form 12F-223
- Age 9
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey H Cobden
chased leaders on inside, raced keenly, mistake 6th, weakening when lost 4th 2 out
- Form 118-412
- Age 10
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 156
- Trainer Mrs J Harrington
- Jockey R M Power
led 2nd until 6th, losing place 10th, struggling 12th, well behind 4 out
- Form 240P23
- Age 9
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer D Hogan
- Jockey J J Slevin
held up in rear, mistake 10th, hit 12th, mistake and hampered 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 5th after last, never nearer
- Form 14-1P31
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 137
- Trainer Miss A Murphy
- Jockey J M Quinlan
prominent, not fluent 1st, mistake and rider lost iron briefly 5th, led 7th, headed 8th, lost place 11th, behind next, pulled up before 3 out
- Form 26-3102
- Age 10
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 150
- Trainer Mrs D Foster
- Jockey Jack Kennedy
mid-division on outside, not fluent 3rd, headway 5th, went 3rd after 3 out, stayed on from last but unable to challenge front pair
- Form 4-71112
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey D A Jacob
held up in rear, took keen hold, closed slightly 3rd, jumped right 6th, went 6th from 12th, went 5th and beginning to latch on to leaders when fell 3 out
In depth
Verdict
This is a new race at The Festival but Willie Mullins has spied an opportunity and has more than a third of the entries, though three of them will be carrying penalties. ELIMAY was a decent hurdler but she is turning into an even better chaser and easily accounted for the much older Shattered Love in a Listed race at Naas last month. If she handles these fences, she might have too much for these. With nine victories under her belt already, Magic Of Light has been a brilliant servant for connections but she may find this on the short side nowadays. Colreevy was fifth in the Mares’ Novice Hurdle here last year and is 3-3 over fences but she will have to concede weight all round, though looks a danger to all. Moyhenna could grab a place if getting the run of the race but Zambella looks to have plenty to find, though holds the disappointing Cut The Mustard on the form book.
Formwatch
Colreevy (IRE) 4-5fav (11-9) Disputed early and led after 1st, joined 5th, left clear 2 out, kept on well in straight, easily, won at Thurles 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Mount Ida (11-5) by 12l, 9 ran.
Elimay (FR) 8-15fav (11-7) Soon raced in 4th, 3rd from 4th, 4th again before 6th, 3rd and closed up approaching straight, challenged travelling smoothly in 2nd 2 out, soon gained narrow lead, pushed along from last, soon asserted and stayed on well, easily, won at Naas 2m lst (1) sft in Feb beating Shattered Love (11-2) by 5 1/2l, 5 ran.
Salsaretta (FR) 4-6fav (11-7) Chased leader, slight mistake 8th, 3rd halfway, 4th 5 out and no impression before 2 out, soon no extra, last of 5, dist behind Agusta Gold (10-13) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f (1) hvy in Jan.
Cabaret Queen 25-1 (11-2) Chased leaders early, lost place 4th, soon towards rear, ridden into moderate 9th entering straight, no extra before 3 out, weakened, 8th of 18, dist behind Coko Beach (10-6) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp hvy in Jan.
Chilli Filli 9-1 (11-2) Prominent, led narrowly before 10th, ridden and headed 4 out, close up when fell 3 out, at Doncaster 2m 5f lst (1) hvy in Dec.
Cut The Mustard (FR) 9-4jfav (11-2) Chased winner, mistake 8th, shaken up and lost 2nd 3 out, 3rd and held next, 3rd of 4, 7 1/4l behind Midnight Tune (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (2) hvy in Feb.
Magic Of Light (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Led, pushed along before 2 out, edged right before last, headed soon after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Roksana (11-6) at Ascot 3m (1) sft in Jan.
Moyhenna (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Held up, towards rear and slight mistake 11th, progress 3 out, ridden into 6th 2 out, 3rd and no impression on leaders last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 18, 7l behind The Big Dog (10-11) at Punchestown 3m 4f hcp sft in Feb.
Really Super 11-4 (10-12) Prominent, led over 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 2m (4) pol in Feb beating Midnights' Gift (10-12) by 3l, 9 ran.
Shattered Love (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Led and disputed early, soon led, not fluent 5th and joined, narrowly headed from 4 out, pushed along from next, 3rd 2 out, soon switched left, chased winner in 2nd and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 5, 5 1/2l behind Elimay (11-7) at Naas 2m lst (1) sft in Feb.
Zambella (FR) 2-1 (11-4) Led, not fluent 12th, 4 out or 3 out, headed last, well held by winner inside final 150 yards, 2nd of 5, 5 1/2l behind Annie Mc (11-4) at Warwick 2m 4f lst (1) sft in Feb.