2017 Mares Hurdle

[Kevloaf]

I think you're right. Missy Tata is definitely going but I think it is impossible to imagine Mullins and Ricci not winning this race.

It is not a betting race fow now, but on the Monday before I will probably have a gigantic double on whoever the fav is in this race rolling on to Douvan the following day. I can see no circumstance where Mullins doesn't win this race.

Most recently Annie Power is being trimmed across the board, as short as 7/4 with PP now, and with no prep race and an impressive return from Faugheen potentially on 29th Jan, as well as a 3 mile victory for VVM in a G1 over Xmas would all indicate that the mighty Annie Power might make amends for her fall 2 years ago in this race. Disgraceful, but it is looking more and more likely! Another Grade 1 winner for Ruby, Willie, Ricci - "stars".

If they didn't rely on Annie Power, and they end up with VVM, I think she's a certainty, and if they end up popping Let's Dance in as a novice, or Limini who won the Dawn Run last year, then I still can't see anything other than a Mullins/Ricci win.

[Brital]

Brendan Duke on the Friday RP Podcast says his mole in the Mullins camp tells him that Annie Power is going for the Mares.

He also said that as a result Faugheen will probably go to the CH.

That 20/1 double Kev put up a few weeks ago is looking a nice touch ��

[Istabraq]

In my view it's a disgrace that the reigning champion hurdler should run in a lesser race 40 mins later than the big one, if she's fit she should defend her crown.

[Old Vic]

Limini, which landed a gamble at Cheltenham last year, is on course for a repeat Festival bid, according to trainer Willie Mullins.

The French import, one of the Irish bankers of the 2016 meet, cruised to victory in the first ever running of the mares' novice hurdle for Ruby Walsh at 8/11.

Though she came up short at Aintree and Punchestown and has not been witnessed publicly since, Mullins eyes her return with confidence. "She's in great form and is doing fast work, I am really happy with her," said the champion trainer.

"I expect she'll run if not at the end of January, towards the start of February. I'm thinking the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle for her at Cheltenham - there aren't many other options."

Mullins could also run Annie Power or Vroum Vroum Mag in that event, which he has won every year apart from in its inaugural 2008 edition. Limini is available at 10/1. All three are Rich Ricci-owned.

A Punchestown mares' hurdle in mid-February, which Annie Power won last year at 1/20, could be a feasible return for Limini, though Mullins also considers that an option for Annie Power.

[mayo]

Not convinced by Limini at all and not sure what to make about the Ruby comments today regarding Annie. The Sandown race today might throw up best of brits?

[Kevloaf]

I'd need to see Limini do something impressive before I thought she was good enough to represent Mullins in this race as his leading light.

I backed Limini early in the season at 10/1 (with the logic that she won the mares novice version so this is the obvious step) but I believe I only got 10s then, and shes 10s now.... not a great bet IMHO even if she did turn up?!

[Old Vic]

Simon Munir, who owns the mare with Isaac Souede, tweeted on Sunday night: "Unfortunately, Missy Tata's spectacular season has been curtailed by a suspensory injury fingers crossed she'll be back next season."

[Al Ferof]

In my view it's a disgrace that the reigning champion hurdler should run in a lesser race 40 mins later than the big one, if she's fit she should defend her crown.

Spot on. Faugheen has a lot to prove IMO and personally I can see him in the World Hurdle if he's not showing the same zip.

[Kevloaf]

Simon Munir, who owns the mare with Isaac Souede, tweeted on Sunday night: "Unfortunately, Missy Tata's spectacular season has been curtailed by a suspensory injury fingers crossed she'll be back next season."

Wonder if they'll go chasing. Form of her early wins might not look to bad by ther end of the season.... might be a little bit forgotten next season? For this race or chasing?

[Kevloaf]

IF HISTORY is anything to go by, Willie Mullins will go on and train the winner of the OLBG Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Irish champion jumps trainer has provided an upbeat bulletin on potential leading contender Limini.

"She has really come to herself in the past few weeks and is really pleasing me," Mullins said.

Stablemate and former festival queen Quevega landed six consecutive mares' hurdles throughout notoriously light campaigns but Mullins admits he would be eager to get a prep-run into Limini as he attempts to stretch his winning sequence in the race to nine.

"If I can get a run into her before Cheltenham I will but it might be hard to find a race for her now.

"Her main target at the moment is the mares' hurdle and she is looking like she is back to herself."

An easy winner of the inaugural mares' novice hurdle at Cheltenham last season, the Rich Ricci-owned Limini can be backed at odds of 14-1 to record back-to-back festival wins in the mares' hurdle in March.

This must be a negative for Annie Powers chances of turning up??!

[TheRowebot]

I may be looking too much into it but I reckon Mullins has all this planned out. One prep for Faugheen means he has an excuse not to send him 3miles. In turn, Annie has interrupted prep and she also won't go 3miles so has to end up in the mares. Also, issue a positive on limini to suggest the mares was never on Annie's radar until late in the day. All about saving face and trying to reduce the media onslaught like they received re: Vautour.

[Faugheen_Machine]

I'm starting to think Ricci might run Annie against Faugheen - just a hunch.

[Kevloaf]

Mullins and Ricci do a massive U-turn and run them both? Sad thing is people would probably still be annoyed that have backed the various combinations

[Faugheen_Machine]

It would be a turn up but something is just niggling me that they might do it. Especially if Faugheen runs and wins next weekend.

[Kevloaf]

Huge U-Turn but the kind of publicity that Ricci would love?