Mares' Novices' Hurdle 2025 - Free guide to the opener on St Patrick's Day

Jon Vine

Editor

Last updated: Wed 26 Feb 2025 16:07

Jon Vine 26 Feb 2025

Share this article

Free guide to the 2025 Mares' Novices' Hurdle
This race will take place on day three of the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday 13th March
Air Of Entitlement features in our verdict

Expired

The Mares Novices Hurdle race during day three of the Cheltenham Festival. (Getty)

After the Grade One two-and-a-half mile novices chase was removed from the card, day three of the Cheltenham Festival now opens with the Mares' Novices' Hurdle. Many classy mares have claimed victory in this Grade Two down the years and British mares have upset their Irish counterparts in the last three renewals.

Here's our free guide to the 2025 Mares' Novices' Hurdle, featuring the latest odds, expert analysis and our best betting tips.

*Note - Best bets won't be finalised until the field has been confirmed*

2025 Mares' Novices' Hurdle Odds

Name	Odds
Sixandahalf	3/1
Maughreen	7/2
Jubilee Alpha	8/1
Karoline Banbou	10/1
Aurora Vega	14/1
Bar	16/1

2025 Mares' Novices' Hurdle Runners

Topping the market we find Sixandahalf, who finished a close third in the Irish Cesarewitch on the flat in September. Gavin Cromwell's mare ran out an impressive winner on her hurdles debut at Fairyhouse in January and was immediately cut into favouritism for this Grade Two.

Willie Mullins' Maughreen topped the betting in the off-season, but didn't overtake Sixandahalf in the market despite an easy win on her belated hurdling debut at Punchestown last month. Mullins - who hasn't won this contest since Concertista handed him a fourth victory in 2020 - will also be represented by Karoline Banbou, who bounced back from defeat on her stable debut by winning at Fairyhouse on her second hurdles start.

Jubilee Alpha is the leading home contender, having won both of her hurdles starts following a third-place finish in a Listed race on her reappearance. Paul Nicholls' could also run Just A Rose, who bolted up on her hurdles debut at Taunton, having won a point-to-point the previous December.

Henry De Bromhead also looks to have two runners lined up for the Cheltenham Festival, with Air Of Entitlement and Tareze likely to take their chance. Ben Pauling could still run Aintree bumper winner Diva Luna, despite a shock defeat at Sandown on her prep-run for the Festival.

Kharisma ran third behind Jubilee Alpha on her British debut at Windsor and Nicky Henderson's mare could step up in class on St Patrick's Day. JP McManus' colours could also be carried into battle by Venusienne and Kom Tu Voudras, both of whom placed in French races before being sent to Willie Mullins.

Jamie Snowden did the Jane Seymour and Mares' Novices' Hurdle double with You Wear It Well two years ago, and Hollygrove Cha Cha could achieve the same feat after winning that Grade Two at Sandown. Two-time hurdles winner Bluey could run for Emma Lavelle. Magic McColgan, Cottesloe Sunshine, La Pinsonniere and Qualimita may also take up their entries.

diva luna — Diva Luna drifted massively in the market after a runner-up finish at Sandown. (Getty)

2025 Mares' Novices' Hurdle Tips

Experience is important going into the Mares' Novices' Hurdle. There's usually a large field and the pace is often frenetic. This year's renewal will be the first race on the card too, which could make the atmosphere even more feverish. You need a horse who can cope with the big occasion.

Maughreen is a fragile mare, who's only been seen twice on a racetrack thus far. She wouldn't be for me. Sixandahalf has plenty of class and experience, but I've had my fingers burnt backing short-priced runners in this contest in recent years, and I'm keen not to make the same mistakes.

Karoline Banbou ran in some excellent French bumpers last season, including a runner-up finish at Grade One level. Willie Mullins was shocked when she was beaten by stablemate Baby Kate before Christmas, but Mark Walsh's mount made no mistakes at Fairyhouse last time out. On soft ground, she looks to have a huge chance.

Jubilee Alpha has been the best of the British over hurdles, but I wouldn't give up on Diva Luna, who beat that rival in the Grade Two Mares' Bumper at Aintree. Ben Pauling's mare has only won one of her three starts over hurdles, but has course form in the book and this 2m1f trip could be ideal. She offers each-way value.

As does AIR OF ENTITLEMENT (20/1) for Henry De Bromhead. This Westerner mare won well on her second point-to-point start in December 2023, and cruised to victory on her stable debut in a bumper last April, before finding the ground too quick at the Punchestown Festival.

Air Of Entitlement couldn't have been more impressive in making a winning hurdles debut at Down Royal on Boxing Day. Sean Flanagan's mount travelled and jumped beautifully that day, sauntering to a three-and-a-half lengths victory over Gordon Elliott's Ballybow without ever coming out of second gear.

Ballybow has since boosted that form by winning a Grade Three and could be a lively outsider to watch out for in the Albert Bartlett. Robbie Power, who now works for Henry, said in a recent preview that Air Of Entitlement is scheduled to make the trip to Cheltenham. She's a strong-travelling, experienced six-year-old who has plenty more to give over obstacles.

Verdict

2025 Mares' Novices' Hurdle

Karoline Banbou would be of interest on very soft ground and I've got my eye on Diva Luna too.

Air Of Entitlement is my ante-post selection though, following a hugely impressive display at Down Royal over Christmas.

Air Of Entitlement E/W

2025 Mares' Novices' Hurdle

@20/1 - 5 Units

Bet £10 Get £30

with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad

Bet at bet365