Mares' Novices' Hurdle 2026 Tips - Two names to note on St Patrick's Day
The Mares' Novices' Hurdle kicks off St Patrick's Day at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival. The race sees a strong field with top contenders such as Oldschool Outlaw and Bambino Fever. Carrigmoornaspruce offers impressive form and could excel in the race's fast pace, while Kingston Queen's prowess on soft ground makes her another contender. If the conditions favor their styles, these mares are recommended bets. With a competitive lineup, this year's race promises excitement and opportunities for seasoned bettors.
- Predictions and best bets for the 2026 Mares' Novices' Hurdle
- This Grade Two takes place on day three of the Cheltenham Festival on March 12th
- Carrigmoornaspruce (16/1) and Kingston Queen (20/1) feature in our selections
St Patrick's Day at the Cheltenham Festival opens with the Mares' Novices' Hurdle, a Grade Two that has been won by plenty of classy mares down the years.
We've analysed the field set to take part in this year's race to bring you our Mares' Novices' Hurdle tips for 2026, including our best bet and race verdict.
Last Updated: 26.02.2026
Race Info
| Race | Mares' Novices' Hurdle |
| Date | Thursday, March 12th, 2026 |
| Start Time | 1:20pm |
| Status | Grade Two |
| Distance | 2m1f |
| First Prize | £59,084 |
| Going | NA |
| Runners | 47 |
| Favourite | Bambino Fever (7/4) |
2026 Mares Novices' Hurdle Runners
Two horses dominate the betting for this year's Mares' Novice. Oldschool Outlaw beat Bambino Fever when they met at Naas in December, and Gordon Elliott's six-year-old was snapped up by JP McManus prior to her recent Grade Three win at Fairyhouse.
Bambino Fever was making her seasonal reappearance when she was beaten at Naas. Last year's Champion Bumper winner then came out and cruised to victory in another maiden at Fairyhouse, and Willie Mullins' contender has been all the rage in the Cheltenham Festival betting since.
Echoing Silence will be looking to follow in the footsteps of Air Of Entitlement and win this for Henry de Bromhead. Carrigmoornaspruce is a likely runner for Declan Queally, and Dennis Hogan has handed an entry to the winning machine Cousin Kate - but she's more likely to turn up in a handicap.
The leading British hope is Jamie Snowden's La Conquiere, who won her first two starts over hurdles before a narrow defeat against her elders at Ascot. Kingston Queen was well-beaten behind Old Park Star here at Cheltenham in December, but bounced back with a Grade Two win at Warwick last time out.
Several Triumph Hurdle contenders have been entered here too. Gordon Elliott might want to split up Mange Tout and Highland Crystal, and the latter could head here after she was handed top-weight in the Fred Winter. With Selma De Vary likely to represent Willie Mullins and Rich Ricci in the opener on Gold Cup day, Charme De Faust could end up running here, and she would be a big player if confirmed.
Future Prospect will be part of Willie Mullins' team, which could also include Place De La Nation and Blue Velvet. Grade Three winner Full Of Life could take her chance for Henry De Bromhead, with Amen Kate a likely runner for Thomas Cooper.
St Irene could provide Nick Schofield with a first Cheltenham Festival runner. Jackie Hobbs, White Noise, Dream Shadow and A Path To Ronda are worth a mention too.
2026 Mares Novices' Hurdle Tips
| Bet Type | Name | Odds (26/2/26) |
|---|---|---|
| Value Bet 1 | Carrigmoornaspruce | 16/1 |
| Value Bet 2 | Kingston Queen | 20/1 |
| One To Watch | Charme De Faust | 14/1 |
I'm happy to fire a couple of arrows at the favourites in this year's Mares' Novices' Hurdle, starting with CARRIGMOORNASPRUCE (16/1).
Declan Queally's mare showed plenty of class in bumpers last term. Carrigmoornaspruce beat Sortudo on the level at the 2024 Leopardstown Christmas Festival, stayed on to finish third behind Bambino Fever at the Dublin Racing Festival, and went on to beat hot-favourite Seo Linn in the Grade Three Mares' Flat Race at the Punchestown Festival.
Carrigmoornaspruce dominated on her hurdling debut at Listowel, making all to beat four future winners by a comfortable margin. Queally's mare suffered a shock defeat in the Grade Three at Down Royal in August, but bounced back in Grade One company at Leopardstown over Christmas, staying on well from the rear to finish a five-length second behind Skylight Hustle.
When presented with a fast pace to aim at, Carrigmoornaspruce always seems to produce her best. I loved the way she travelled into the contest at Leopardstown, and Queally must think the world of her to throw her in with some of the best novices that Ireland has to offer.
You need a strong traveller in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle. The pacesetters always go out hard and fast. Jumping isn't particularly important on the New Course, as there's only one obstacle in the six furlongs on the hurdles track. That's probably why horses with good bumper form - like Carrigmoornaspruce - prosper on the New Course, and decent ground will suit this likeable mare.
If the ground does come up on the soft side, which seems likely, then KINGSTON QUEEN (20/1) has a good chance of challenging.
Like my first selection, David Pipe's mare performed well in bumpers last term, winning a Listed prize at Market Rasen before finishing a close third from the front at Aintree. On her hurdling debut at Chepstow, Kingston Queen handed a seven-length thrashing to Kripticjim, who went on to win the Classic Novices' Hurdle here at Cheltenham on Trials Day.
Following a 15-length defeat behind Old Park Star here in December, Kingston Queen was sent off at 5/1 for the rescheduled Jane Seymour at Warwick. Connor O'Farrell's mount looked the stand-out throughout that contest, and it was only some wandering and wavering after the last that made the winning margin look respectable.
Pipe's six-year-old handled the New Course well in December. She simply couldn't hang with the classiest novice hurdler in Britain, and failed to find an extra gear on quickish ground. Kingston Queen wants plenty of dig in the turf, and if conditions are suitable, I could see her flying up the Cheltenham hill.
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Verdict
Carrigmoornaspruce boasts some strong form, and should be well-suited to the hurly-burly nature of the Mares' Novices' Hurdle.
If the ground is soft on day three, I'll be backing Kingston Queen, who travels extremely well and looks to have plenty of ability.
If the ground is soft on day three, I'll be backing Kingston Queen, who travels extremely well and looks to have plenty of ability.
Carrigmoornaspruce
2026 Mares' Novices' Hurdle
@16/1 - 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
Kingston Queen
2026 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
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