A 25-1 Cheltenham Festival 2025 tip that makes perfect sense for Willie Mullins

9 months ago 54

THERE is no denying it – Cheltenham Festival these days is all about how many winners Willie Mullins will have.

Except when it’s about those horses he has who didn’t win, but arguably should have.

Mullins could already have his horse for next year’s Mares’ Hurdle[/caption]

Step forward Jade De Grugy.

Sent off second-favourite for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle behind Gordon Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead, Jade De Grugy ultimately finished fourth behind impressive winner Golden Ace.

But she was checked at a crucial stage and before that travelled supremely.

Jockey Paul Townend also decided to race on a totally different part of the track to all the others.

Elliott said after Brighterdaysahead won a Listed race at Navan that she looks like a chaser.

If we assume her future lies over fences, the race for 2025 immediately cuts up.

Lossiemouth will surely be bound for the Champion Hurdle, where her 7lb allowance looks more than handy against the boys.

Who knows what Mares’ Novice winner Golden Ace will be.

While Triumph Hurdle runner-up Kargese was good but didn’t suffer the bad luck in-running Jade De Grugy did.

Both are owned by Kenny Alexander, who loves his mares and owned the awesome Honeysuckle.

Sure, Fergal O’Brien’s Dysart Enos was cruelly ruled out at the last minute and falls in the ‘could be anything’ category.

But you sense connections knew they needed her in the race without a penalty – she was campaigned excellently to effectively be well-in against rivals – against mares from Elliott and Mullins.

Ashroe Diamond will be another year older (eight) in 2025, which brings us back again to Jade De Grugy.

Her future doesn’t look so up in the air and the 25-1 available for her for next year’s Mares’ Hurdle looks a nice bet at this stage.