The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival is a Grade 1 race over 2m 4f that regularly attracts the best mares in training. Willie Mullins has trained 10 of the last 16 winners, with star names like Quevega and Honeysuckle dominating in recent years. Below, we break down the key trends, past winners, and expert betting selections for the 2025 renewal.
📊 Key Trends & Winning Profile
✅ Age Trends: 📅 Only Quevega and Honeysuckle have won this aged 8+, both being previous winners.
✅ Strong Form: 🏆 13 of the last 17 winners won their previous race.
✅ Stamina Check: 🏇 All but two winners had previously won over at least 2m 4f.
✅ Ratings Benchmark: 📈 14 of the last 17 winners were rated 147+.
✅ Favourite Woes: ❌ 6 of the last 9 favourites have been beaten, despite short prices.
✅ Trainer Dominance: 🏇 Willie Mullins has trained 10 of the last 16 winners.
✅ Open Grade Experience: 🎯 14 of the last 17 winners had placed in an open Graded race.
✅ No Headgear: 🚫 Only one of the last 17 winners wore headgear.
✅ Cheltenham Proven: ⛰️ Many past winners had previous Festival form.
✅ Handicap Edge: ⚖️ 7 of the last 17 winners had at least 6lb in hand on handicap ratings.
✅ Tough Competition: 💪 15 of the last 17 winners had beaten geldings before.
🏆 Recent Winners & Trends Analysis
| Year | Winner | Age | OR | SP | Trainer | Jockey | Last Race (Days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Lossiemouth | 5 | 155 | 8/13F | W Mullins | P Townend | 45 (1st G2 Cheltenham) |
| 2023 | Honeysuckle | 9 | 159 | 9/4 jtF | H de Bromhead | R Blackmore | 37 (2nd Irish Champion) |
| 2022 | Marie’s Rock | 7 | 140 | 18/1 | N Henderson | N de Boinville | 31 (1st Warwick Mares’ Listed) |
| 2021 | Black Tears | 7 | 148 | 11/1 | D Foster | J Kennedy | 15 (1st Punchestown Quevega Hurdle) |
| 2020 | Honeysuckle | 6 | 158 | 9/4 | H de Bromhead | R Blackmore | 38 (1st Irish Champion Hurdle) |
🔍 Expert Verdict: Who to Bet On?
✅ Focus on 6-7-year-olds — Only Quevega and Honeysuckle have won aged 8+, and both were previous winners.
✅ Form in open Graded company is vital — 14 of the last 17 winners had placed in a Graded race against geldings.
✅ Stamina at 2m 4f+ — Lossiemouth and Whiteoak are the only two winners who hadn’t previously won over the trip.
✅ Willie Mullins — He’s trained 10 of the last 16 winners, including Lossiemouth in 2024.
✅ Avoid headgear — Only Black Tears has won this wearing headgear.
📈 Best Bets for Mares’ Hurdle 2025 – Top Selections
| 🏇 Horse | 📉 Odds | 🎯 Trainer | 🔥 Age | 📊 OR | ⭐ RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lossiemouth | 4/6 | W P Mullins | 6 | 160 | 165 |
| Jade De Grugy | 5/1 | W P Mullins | 6 | 151 | 160 |
| July Flower | 12/1 | H de Bromhead | 6 | 148 | 153 |
✅ Lossiemouth (4/6)
- ✅ Defending champion
- ✅ Top-rated (160) and still improving
- ✅ Won last time out in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham
- ✅ Proven over the trip
💪 Verdict: Looks difficult to oppose based on her class and Cheltenham form.
✅ Jade De Grugy (5/1)
- ✅ Willie Mullins’ second string
- ✅ Progressive with a Grade 1 win under her belt
- ✅ Proven over the trip
- ✅ Top Irish jockey booking in Danny Mullins
💪 Verdict: The most credible threat to Lossiemouth – solid Cheltenham record.
✅ July Flower (12/1)
- ✅ Trained by Henry de Bromhead (trained Honeysuckle)
- ✅ Excellent Festival record
- ✅ Strong staying form over 2m 4f+
💪 Verdict: Represents strong value for an each-way bet.
🔥 Best Trend Fit: Lossiemouth
✅ Top-rated mare (160)
✅ Defending champion
✅ Proven Festival form
🚫 Runners to Avoid:
❌ Queens Gamble – Unlikely to match the class of the top Irish mares.
❌ Gala Marceau – Out of form and unlikely to trouble the front-runners.
❌ Casa No Mento – Lowly rated and out of depth in this company.
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