2023 Mares Hurdle

[Lobos]

It's another race though that looks far from a closed book. Plenty of them this year and several on the first day which is unusual.

[Exar Essay]

If anything she'll go up from her 146

Agreed. To suggest Queens Brook has run to 136 and Anna Bunina to 133 there (which you must if you argue BL will be dropped for that) is barmy.

If I knew Marie's Rock was heading here though ... I'd be all over her like a tramp on chips. That Punchestown victory last year was super. And then the Relkeel rubber stamped it.

[Lobos]

Agreed. To suggest Queens Brook has run to 136 and Anna Bunina to 133 there (which you must if you argue BL will be dropped for that) is barmy.

If I knew Marie's Rock was heading here though ... I'd be all over her like a tramp on chips. That Punchestown victory last year was super. And then the Relkeel rubber stamped it.

Unfortunately or fortunately for some, that run by BL probably means MR will go Stayers now as for me it pretty much rubber stamps Epatante being supplemented for the Mares Hurdle along with Theatre Guide and I don't see Hendo running all three. MR hit the line hard in both races you mentioned which says to me she will absolutely relish 3 miles. I definitely need to back her for the Stayers before her price goes completely.

[ComplyOrDie]

Unfortunately or fortunately for some, that run by BL probably means MR will go Stayers now as for me it pretty much rubber stamps Epatante being supplemented for the Mares Hurdle along with Theatre Guide and I don't see Hendo running all three. MR hit the line hard in both races you mentioned which says to me she will absolutely relish 3 miles. I definitely need to back her for the Stayers before her price goes completely.

I don't think Theatre Guide will be troubling anyone, not least because he's a he, but also he's 16 now

In all seriousness, Theatre Glory is not showing in the Mares Hurdle, was it one Hendo forgot to include at the latest entry stage?

[FinalFurlong91]

Unfortunately or fortunately for some, that run by BL probably means MR will go Stayers now as for me it pretty much rubber stamps Epatante being supplemented for the Mares Hurdle along with Theatre Guide and I don't see Hendo running all three. MR hit the line hard in both races you mentioned which says to me she will absolutely relish 3 miles. I definitely need to back her for the Stayers before her price goes completely.

Think they will surely be looking more at what actually runs in the stayers

If khal, teahupoo, home by the lee and flooring porter are going to be lining up i doubt they will run maries rock

They'd be much better off stepping her up to 3 miles at Aintree in a likely much weaker race

But I'm on her for the Mares so I'm bound to have these opinions

If the champion cuts up to just 5 or 6 epatante may still line up. JP loves a runner after all.

[Lobos]

I don't think Theatre Guide will be troubling anyone, not least because he's a he, but also he's 16 now

In all seriousness, Theatre Glory is not showing in the Mares Hurdle, was it one Hendo forgot to include at the latest entry stage?

Glory it is thanks

Needs to be supplemented. That's the plan apparently.

[Quevega]

Be some call to supplement Theatre Glory I reckon.
Unless Henderson is paying.
If they all turn up on the day it'll be one of the hottest races in years and very tough to call.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Think they will surely be looking more at what actually runs in the stayers

If khal, teahupoo, home by the lee and flooring porter are going to be lining up i doubt they will run maries rock

They'd be much better off stepping her up to 3 miles at Aintree in a likely much weaker race

But I'm on her for the Mares so I'm bound to have these opinions

If the champion cuts up to just 5 or 6 epatante may still line up. JP loves a runner after all.

You may be right that opposition might determine things for MR, but for me it’s more about the ground.
If it’s not soft I can see MR in the Stayers, and with her allowance I don’t think there’s anything in the race to scare them.

[Many Clouds]

Iv seen a few tweets about Marie's Rock going to the Mares Hurdle recently that have been liked by one of the owners. Might be reading more into it than I should but that does give me the feeling that it's the plan still. Hope so anyway.

[Lobos]

Epatante and Theatre Glory....

In the Mares’ Hurdle you have Epatante, Honeysuckle and we might even have Theatre Glory so there is a bit to be said about at least considering the Stayers’ and the ground may have a fair bit to do with the decision. Theatre Glory would want good ground but would have to be supplemented as would Epatante. You can take it they are intended runners and Epatante should be treated as an intended runner.

[FinalFurlong91]

We don’t know at the moment, and she will run in the Champion or the Mares’ Hurdle over two and a half. We will keep an eye on the weather, and it feels as though we are here a bit earlier than usual – we are a week earlier! It’s four weeks to go which is a very long time away and a week is a long time in a horse’s life. She was very good the other day at Doncaster, and we will wait and see how things are going. She did prove that she stayed two and a half at Aintree and it was great to see her win like that the other day. I know she beat nothing, but she showed how good Constitution Hill is as she can still come out and beat her own playmates as easy as that. I thought she was superb and she jumped beautifully.

Nicky on epatante the other day

So still all up in the air with all of them

the ground and likely opposition will be the deciding factors

[Istabraq]

the ground and likely opposition will be the deciding factors[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT]

As is the supplement fee that will cost Hendo about 80 bottles of decent red...

[Exar Essay]

As is the supplement fee that will cost Hendo about 80 bottles of decent red...

... or a good night in as he calls it.

[DenmanSacre]

After you get past Shewearsitwell in the market I agree, the rest wont be in it, but you're being very dismissive of the others IMO.

Hard to watch Epatante last time out and buy into her being past it IMO. She's won hard held taking the absolute piss posting an RPR higher than Brandy Love has ever run to. Honeysuckle wouldn't be racing again if she was past it, or if they felt she couldn't win. 2nd to State Man didn't look likely at one point but she showed that steely determination and we know categorically that she handles Cheltenham and runs well there. Brandy Love has never been to Cheltenham. Yes, Love Envoi lost to BL last year, but BL went to Fairyhouse fresh, not after the back of a tough festival. Love Envoi has definitely improved whether you are with her or against her, and comes with zero quirks, which BL is full of. Maries Rock has won 4 on the bounce and that run LTO was massive - way better than anything BL has ever done. She's 2/3 at Cheltenham and even though the stayers is a possibility, 'probably goes' is a big stretch IMO. Shewearsitwell deserves a mention also. 2/2, looks a better horse this year and BL hasn't run to a higher level than her yet.

BL has 4 proper decent rivals there and I don't think they can be played down back vs their own sex.

I don't think Epatante is as good as she has been in the last 3 years. She's been given an excuse in her first 2 runs that Constitution Hill was just miles better but her Kempton run was very disappointing to me - she wouldn't have even won the novices race that day IMO and Constitution Hill didn't achieve as much at Kempton as he did at Newcastle.

She won well next time but it was a very poor grade 2. She also has trip concerns for me and so I'll dismiss her at her current price.

Love Envoi is her biggest threat to me in this if Marie's Rock doesn't turn up. I thought the vibes were she was going the Stayers but if not, she should be favourite for me.

I'm not a fan of Shewearsitwell so wouldn't be too concerned with her.

[ComplyOrDie]

Willie Mullins on BRANDY LOVE:

"Paul and I are very happy that she will come on a lot for this.

"I think she has improved from last year, and I think we have enough time between now and Cheltenham to have her ready.

As per RoadToCheltenham on Twitter.