2023 Mares Hurdle

[Quevega]

Honeysuckle should leave the building.
Exit stage left.
Thanks for coming.
Leave a statue on the way out.
Go and enjoy the grass, and having baby horses.

I refuse to back her in the mares out of annoyance and that she's not good enough anymore. 2 excellent reasons.

"It's all about you"
I Feel sorry for the connections who actually win the mares.
Henry will still say she's ran her best ever race, when she plugs on for third.


(if she wins please bring this back up, it'll make me laugh)

[Irish Rugby]

I'll go even further. Hope she gets beaten by one of a growing group of quality mares.

Whatever happens you just know the media will be fawning all over her. Of course if she does turn up and lose at level weights to either Brandy Love, Maries Rock, Love Envoi or Echoes in Rain, what then for her legacy. Wins two CHs as the opposition was poor, starts losing when the opposition picks up, and then loses in the Mares Hurdle.

I've said before, I'm not one of these book bettors. She joins my other 'do not touch with a bargepole types' such as Hermes Allen, Bravemansgame, and probably now, Appreciate It.

No time for emotions, this is betting we're talking about.

[Evesham Road]

I had quite a nice position in this race, so a bit annoying for a new favourite to hop into the market at this stage. But I think the play is to get on at the best NRNB (because things are clearly liable to change) prices available currently with a view to laying stake closer to the race. If running I expect she will be very well supported closer to the race, as others note above. I find that this approach works well for a few horses each year; in my experience it's especially useful for covering short-priced favourites who you don't like the odds/ outlay to cover without hedging.

[Faugheen_Machine]

I had quite a nice position in this race, so a bit annoying for a new favourite to hop into the market at this stage. But I think the play is to get on at the best NRNB (because things are clearly liable to change) prices available currently with a view to laying stake closer to the race. If running I expect she will be very well supported closer to the race, as others note above. I find that this approach works well for a few horses each year; in my experience it's especially useful for covering short-priced favourites who you don't like the odds/ outlay to cover without hedging.

I'd rather avoid her completely and take my medicine if she wins. She's best price 9/4 NRNB which means you're giving up a big percentage of your potential winnings if you include her.

It's obviously down to personal preference, but she looks to be regressing and is going face some up mares that look to be at the peak of their powers.

Great race in store.

[Evesham Road]

I'd rather avoid her completely and take my medicine if she wins. She's best price 9/4 NRNB which means you're giving up a big percentage of your potential winnings if you include her.

It's obviously down to personal preference, but she looks to be regressing and is going face some up mares that look to be at the peak of their powers.

Great race in store.

That's just it though, I'm not (planning on) giving up any winnings because (I think) there's a fairly obvious trading opportunity.

[Carnage at Taunton]

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

They changed it to Mares or retirement.
Bit fed it with it all to be honest.

[Outlaw]

That's just it though, I'm not (planning on) giving up any winnings because (I think) there's a fairly obvious trading opportunity.

Obvious but minimal. She was 7/2 as the news broke and now 9/4, even with her being very popular by the public and as a fav will get pushed into multis by plenty she can’t go off much shorter than 13/8 on the day can she if the front 6 all go?

[Carnage at Taunton]

I'll go even further. Hope she gets beaten by one of a growing group of quality mares.

Whatever happens you just know the media will be fawning all over her. Of course if she does turn up and lose at level weights to either Brandy Love, Maries Rock, Love Envoi or Echoes in Rain, what then for her legacy. Wins two CHs as the opposition was poor, starts losing when the opposition picks up, and then loses in the Mares Hurdle.

I've said before, I'm not one of these book bettors. She joins my other 'do not touch with a bargepole types' such as Hermes Allen, Bravemansgame, and probably now, Appreciate It.

No time for emotions, this is betting we're talking about.

I would say your comments re legacy are pretty accurate myself

[Geegees]

Obvious but minimal. She was 7/2 as the news broke and now 9/4, even with her being very popular by the public and as a fav will get pushed into multis by plenty she can’t go off much shorter than 13/8 on the day can she if the front 6 all go?

Given the price move on her at the weekend then I would say she probably could. There will be so many punters tuning in for the day, seeing honeysuckle name and just blindly backing or sticking it in multi’s… will also be the others who are betting on her just because it’s her final race

[Carnage at Taunton]

Obvious but minimal. She was 7/2 as the news broke and now 9/4, even with her being very popular by the public and as a fav will get pushed into multis by plenty she can’t go off much shorter than 13/8 on the day can she if the front 6 all go?

Which would be crazy in this field.
But creates opportunities!!

[Quevega]

I'd rather avoid her completely and take my medicine if she wins. She's best price 9/4 NRNB which means you're giving up a big percentage of your potential winnings if you include her.

It's obviously down to personal preference, but she looks to be regressing and is going face some up mares that look to be at the peak of their powers.

Great race in store.

It looks to be one of the best races we’ve seen at the festival I reckon.
And I agree.
It wouldn’t be bad medicine if she did win.
They deserve to run her where they want to be fair.

like I’ve said previously though, if the champion hurdle weakens by one then I think it’s a daft choice.
The mares race is far deeper and she’s probably only run to mid 150’s this year which puts 4 or 5 other mares in the mix, and most are upwardly mobile.

[Muswell]

https://twitter.com/nickluck/status/1622902748965478400?s=46&t=sZOYLqiSsw2vF9mmwmG5Fg

[Quevega]

https://twitter.com/nickluck/status/...sw2vF9mmwmG5Fg

Love the jumping straighter comment.

How straight ?
in degrees ?

[Outlaw]

Given the price move on her at the weekend then I would say she probably could. There will be so many punters tuning in for the day, seeing honeysuckle name and just blindly backing or sticking it in multi’s… will also be the others who are betting on her just because it’s her final race

Yeah was surprised the price she went off at, at the weekend and 100% she’ll get sentimental/casual money especially with ITV no doubt doing plenty of media on her. Could be wrong but can’t see her going daft short personally as bookies would be laying filthy e/w shots to nothing galore.

[Carnage at Taunton]

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.

Can see this being a very late decision.
Wait to see if Honey lines up, and wait to see how the stayers looks.
Will he want both Epatante and MR in the same ultra competitive race?
Will he try and win both?
Im trying my best to get her covered for both.
I personally think she has serious chances in either, but think the stayers offers her the best chance of winning.
Be very interesting how it pans out.
Would love to be a fly on the wall when they are discussing!!