Cheltenham Festival 2026 Ante-Post Tips - Queally's mare can star on St Patrick's Day

Jon Vine

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Last updated: Thu 12 Feb 2026 15:16

Jon Vine 12 Feb 2026

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Ante-Post Tips for the 2026 Cheltenham Festival
Carrigmoornaspruce ran well against the geldings at Leopardstown over Christmas
We're backing Declan Queally's mare at 16/1 for the 2026 Mares' Novices' Hurdle

The Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. (Getty)

Our fifth ante-post selection for the Cheltenham Festival is an interesting contender for the 2026 Mares' Novices' Hurdle, for a little-known Irish trainer.

Here's my fifth ante-post selection for the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.

2026 Mares' Novices' Hurdle Tips - Carrigmoornaspruce

There were wonderful scenes at Naas earlier this month, as Declan Queally both rode and trained his first Grade One winner. I'll Sort That toughed it out from the front to win the Ballymore Novice Hurdle, and could now head on to the Turners' Novices' Hurdle on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.

I'll Sort That wasn't the only horse of Declan Queally's to impress in Grade One company over the Festival period. CARRIGMOORNASPRUCE (16/1) secured a runner-up finish against the geldings in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown, and she could be a leading player in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle.

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 at Leopardstown, 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, as 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 spring ground will suit this likeable mare.

Whether Queally will ride his own horses at the Cheltenham Festival, we don't know. I suspect he will, as he's a good pilot, and has plenty of experience riding around Cheltenham at the Festival. Regardless of who rides her, Carrigmoornaspruce has to have a good chance of challenging the likes of Bambino Fever in the opener on St. Patrick's Day. I just hope she's confirmed in the final field!

2026 Cheltenham Festival Ante-Post Bets Book

Name	Race	Price Taken	Price Now
Honesty Policy	2026 Stayers' Hurdle	16/1	5/1
Le Divin Enfant	2026 Supreme Novices' Hurdle	25/1	50/1
Love Me Tender	2026 Turners Novices' Hurdle	16/1	50/1
Koktail Divin	2026 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase	16/1	16/1
Carrigmoornaspruce	2025 Mares' Novices' Hurdle	16/1	NA

Verdict

Carrigmoornaspruce is our ante-post selection for the 2026 Mares' Novices' Hurdle.

Carrigmoornaspruce

2026 Mares' Novices' Hurdle

@16/1 - 5 Units

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