The newest race on day three's card at the Cheltenham Festival is the Mares' Novices' Hurdle. Named after the legendary former Gold Cup winner Dawn Run, there have only been six runnings of this Group Two race, and Irish trainer Willie Mullins has won five of them.
The Mares' Novices' Hurdle is the newest race at the Cheltenham Festival. This Grade Two was created in 2016. It's open only to mares who are novices over hurdles, and is run over a trip of 2m and 1f.
The race was initially known as the Trull House Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle. The name of legendary mare and Gold Cup winner, Dawn Run was attached to the race in 2020, and is now called the Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle.
The Mares' Novices' Hurdle has been dominated by one man, Willie Mullins. Mullins has won all five runnings of the Mares' Novices' Hurdle, since Limini won the inaugural renewal in 2016. Mullins has also dominated the Mares' Hurdle on day one of the Cheltenham Festival.
Limini was followed into the winners' enclosure by Let's Dance. The following season, 4/7 favourite Laurina destroyed her rivals with an excellent 18-length success.
It looked like Mullins didn't have a strong hand to play in 2019. Ireland Champion Trainer then went on to saddle the first two past the post, as 50/1 shot Eglantine Du Seuil headed 66/1 shot Concertista.
Having failed to win a race over hurdles, Concertista was free to enter the Mares' Novices' Hurdle for the second time in 2020. Daryl Jacob's mount proceeded to bolt up, as Willie Mullins saddled four of the first five horses over the line.
In contrast, 2021 saw Mullins fail to saddle the winner of placers in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle, as Telmesomethinggirl headed a 1-2 for trainer Henry De Bromhead.
Mares' Novices' Hurdle Winners
Year
Winner
2023
Your Wear It Well
2022
Love Envoi
2021
Telmesomethinggirl
2020
Concertista
2019
Eglantine Du Seuil
2018
Limini
2017
Let's Dance
2016
Limini
Mares' Novices' Hurdle FAQs
When is the Mares' Novices' Hurdle?
The 2024 Mares' Novices' Hurdle will take place at 4:50pm on day three of the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday 14th March.
What is the Mares' Novices' Hurdle?
The Mares' Novices' Hurdle is a Grade Two race staged during the Cheltenham Festival. Open only to mares who are novices over hurdles, and is run over a trip of 2m and 1f.
Who won the Mares' Novices' Hurdle?
Jamie Snowden's You Wear It Well won the 2023 Mares' Novices' Hurdle.
Where can I watch the Mares' Novices' Hurdle?
The 2024 Mares' Novices' Hurdle will be shown live on ITV Racing. If you want to stream the race live on your mobile or tablet then visit our Live Streaming page for more details.
