Mares Chase 2021

[Kevloaf]

I'm just going through my notes that I copy and paste from articles I pick up. It's a quote from Ruby with regards Benie that I copied in to my notes a while ago. Apologies, but I can't remember where it was from, but it's legit. Based on when I copied it, it would have been mid to late April I think.

"Not that I’d be afraid to take on Honeysuckle again with ‘Benie’ but with her experience over fences already, she’d be an obvious contender for the new Mares Chase. I think Honeysuckle might stay over hurdles and that would make ‘Benie’ very difficult to beat in this race".

Clearly much water to pass under the bridge, but Ruby still has plenty of influence at Closutton and with Rich Ricci too. Also this time his thinking isn't about shuffling his own rides to best effect!

Later in the same article he puts up Concertista as the one to take on Honeysuckle next year.

That's where my free PP bets continue to go.

She'd be my strongest fancy of the week.

[archie]

Those words come from an article that Ruby contributed to PP News 4 months ago. As of today, PP are the longest price for Benie in this race so using the free bets is sound strategy.

[Dandrew99]

Starting to think there is some value in Laurina here...

She has some decent Cheltenham form, 4th in a Champion Hurdle (although nowhere near winning) and winning the Mares Novice. This seems like a very likely target for her, and assuming (very big assumption I know) that she is in top form, I really can't see any of the likely runners getting anywhere near her.

On the flip side, pulled up twice in last 3 starts which obviously is far from ideal, and lost to Elfile over hurdles last time out. Plus she is a bleeder, so plenty going against her too.

I think she will be very lightly raced this season with this in mind, but if Willie were to get her right for one of the meetings over Christmas time, I wouldn't be that surprised to see her being favourite (unless Honeysuckle has a change of plan or we get more info on Benie). Even if she does flop over Christmas, I'd be surprised to see her any bigger than 33s for this so could be a cash out job.

[Kautostar]

Starting to think there is some value in Laurina here...

She has some decent Cheltenham form, 4th in a Champion Hurdle (although nowhere near winning) and winning the Mares Novice. This seems like a very likely target for her, and assuming (very big assumption I know) that she is in top form, I really can't see any of the likely runners getting anywhere near her.

On the flip side, pulled up twice in last 3 starts which obviously is far from ideal, and lost to Elfile over hurdles last time out. Plus she is a bleeder, so plenty going against her too.

I think she will be very lightly raced this season with this in mind, but if Willie were to get her right for one of the meetings over Christmas time, I wouldn't be that surprised to see her being favourite (unless Honeysuckle has a change of plan or we get more info on Benie). Even if she does flop over Christmas, I'd be surprised to see her any bigger than 33s for this so could be a cash out job.

She’s with Paul Nicholls now

[Dandrew99]

That she is... missed that news! Add that to the list of negatives then...

[Lobos]

Just found an interview with Mullins in February where he says 'Ive curtailed her chasing career because it's easier to keep them sound'....'If she is to run in a different race (than the Mares Hurdle) then she will go up in trip not down'.

Clearly she won't be running in Mares Chase or Champion Hurdle based on that. Mares Hurdle or Stayers it is.

[OscarWhisky]

Just found an interview with Mullins in February where he says 'Ive curtailed her chasing career because it's easier to keep them sound'....'If she is to run in a different race (than the Mares Hurdle) then she will go up in trip not down'.

Clearly she won't be running in Mares Chase or Champion Hurdle based on that. Mares Hurdle or Stayers it is.

You might well be right Lobos but I’d be prepared to read between the lines here, i.e. it’s highly unlikely she’d have an entire campaign over fences. But I’d be highly surprised if they ruled out the inaugural running of a race she could be tailor made for (trip, course, previous record over fences) as a one off?

With Willie it’s a case of never rule anything in, rarely rule anything out.... particularly at the start of a season.

I was a big backer of the horse last year, indeed have been the last 3 festivals. I’d love to see her run in the Mares Chase, I’d be fascinated to see her in the Stayers and I’d never rule her out in the Mares Hurdle. Would I back her in any of those races given all of the above at the moment? Absolutely not.

[archie]

There's another contender for your polls thread, Kev.

How many times has Willie changed his mind in the last 6 months?

[Lobos]

I suppose the one big thing which may change his mind is it will surely be her last Fez/race anyway and if she broke down , whilst not ideal, she would have been retired to paddock anyway.

[Craigy14]

As Kauto said previous page.....she’s with Paul Nicholls now so anything on this page is quite irrelevant of where
Mullins thinks she’ll run.

Obviously Mullins might have given Paul the heads up of any issues she’s had, although I’d imagine he’d know/be aware of those issues anyway.

Then it’s up to the owner and Paul to decide what route they are going to take.

Given the issue she’s had, for breeding, as Archie and Ista have said chasing increases risk and potential breeding for mares. May well be she is kept over hurdles, but it’s all guesswork at this stage.

[ComplyOrDie]

As Kauto said previous page.....she’s with Paul Nicholls now so anything on this page is quite irrelevant of where
Mullins thinks she’ll run.

Obviously Mullins might have given Paul the heads up of any issues she’s had, although I’d imagine he’d know/be aware of those issues anyway.

Then it’s up to the owner and Paul to decide what route they are going to take.

Given the issue she’s had, for breeding, as Archie and Ista have said chasing increases risk and potential breeding for mares. May well be she is kept over hurdles, but it’s all guesswork at this stage.

I believe they are talking about Benie (again) and not Laurina, here, Craig.

[Spectre]

You might well be right Lobos but I’d be prepared to read between the lines here, i.e. it’s highly unlikely she’d have an entire campaign over fences. But I’d be highly surprised if they ruled out the inaugural running of a race she could be tailor made for (trip, course, previous record over fences) as a one off?

With Willie it’s a case of never rule anything in, rarely rule anything out.... particularly at the start of a season.

I was a big backer of the horse last year, indeed have been the last 3 festivals. I’d love to see her run in the Mares Chase, I’d be fascinated to see her in the Stayers and I’d never rule her out in the Mares Hurdle. Would I back her in any of those races given all of the above at the moment? Absolutely not.

Assuming we're talking about Benie, then I couldn't have put my thoughts about it better myself.

[Lobos]

As Kauto said previous page.....she’s with Paul Nicholls now so anything on this page is quite irrelevant of where
Mullins thinks she’ll run.

Obviously Mullins might have given Paul the heads up of any issues she’s had, although I’d imagine he’d know/be aware of those issues anyway.

Then it’s up to the owner and Paul to decide what route they are going to take.

Given the issue she’s had, for breeding, as Archie and Ista have said chasing increases risk and potential breeding for mares. May well be she is kept over hurdles, but it’s all guesswork at this stage.

With you on this. Think Paul will target the Coral Cup with her.

[Istabraq]

It’s becoming so hard for a UK trainer to win a handicap hurdle at the festival, If looking at the intermediate trip the Irish have claimed 5 of the last 6 Martin Pipes and 4 of the last 5 Coral Cups, it’s likely to take an exceptional Winter of placing any UK horse to come out victorious in March.....

[Craigy14]

I believe they are talking about Benie (again) and not Laurina, here, Craig.

Aaaaaagh, that makes sense, presumed Laurina as she was what the last message was about