2023 Mares Hurdle

[Ballybeen]

Peter Moloney has just tweeted Honeysuckle goes to the mares now for one last hurrah as he puts it barring anything going wrong. Bit early for bookies to react. Still plenty 7/2 out there.

[Ballybeen]

Race of the whole week by the way.

[Muswell]

BF Sportsbook on of the few still holding the 7/2

[opatcho]

If all line up, this looks to be the race of the week

[Benjy23]

Not gone great for my Brandy Love bets recently but this is shaping up to be some race. Honeysuckle probably entitled to be shorter than 7/2 even on this seasons form but I get the feeling she'll be really well backed on the day as well.

[Speedy17]

I'm wondering if this will sway Henderson to put Marie's Rock in the Stayers? The Stayers looks easier to win! I think she'd win both personally but would rather see her rock up in the Stayers for my slips to come alive again.

[opatcho]

Starting to feel more confident now that Henderson will run Marie’s Rock in the stayers, but he’ll leave it to the every last minute

Maries won the mares on fast ground last year, but this looks far deeper and has some grade 1, ex-champ hurdler mares in it.
if the ground is quick on the Tuesday, can see her being switched to the stayers

[DenmanSacre]

Glad she's going as she will make up the market for the rest of them
Outstayed in the Hattons Grace and lacked speed in the ICH. I'd say the younger mares will have caught up to her level now over 2 and a half.

[BalthazarKing]

18/5 LB with a boost if anyone wants to get stuck into Honey

[Outlaw]

Glad she's going as she will make up the market for the rest of them
Outstayed in the Hattons Grace and lacked speed in the ICH. I'd say the younger mares will have caught up to her level now over 2 and a half.

Very similar thoughts, she will warrant respect & she will go off fav but not one to be running scared of anymore. Hopefully Hendo sends both his plus the rest as aside from being a decent race be a proper betting market.

[Benjy23]

Aye, I think taking her on on the day is probably the play. Rather than now.

What price would Maria's Rock actually be a player in the Stayers at? The 5/1 NRNB looks very short to me.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Aye, I think taking her on on the day is probably the play. Rather than now.

What price would Maria's Rock actually be a player in the Stayers at? The 5/1 NRNB looks very short to me.

10's if you want a gamble

[Odin]

Based on the way she ran in the Relkeel, sending MR to the stayers would be a big mistake this year despite what the breeding says. She was obviously entitled to be a bit fresh, but she was keen most of the way (from memory, maybe exaggerating the length of time) and jumped so fast it would be a shame not to use that in the Mares Hurdle. It strikes me as a similar situation to GDC last year where he/she probably could stay the extra distance but based on running style probably should go for the shorter race at this point. Racing Post comments also say she took a keen hold in two races last year, including the Mares Hurdle which kind of strengthens my thoughts.

[Istabraq]

What happened to the 'Champion Hurdle or retirement' strategy ?

[Big Bucks]

What happened to the 'Champion Hurdle or retirement' strategy ?

I think that's a valid point, and another lesson never to take connections word as gospel!