Don’t be bullied, Cheltenham – stand strong over the Mares’ Hurdle

5 months ago 50

ARE horse-traders thick?

On the basis the answer is no, Cheltenham should stand its ground over rumoured changes to the conditions of the disastrous Mares’ Hurdle.

And if the rumours are not true, then those in power have 100 per cent support from this scribe to rip the contest apart.

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Yes, yes, I know. It’s the Flat season. But I can’t let this go.

Some of you will have no idea what I’m on about, so here’s a recap.

Since the end of this year’s Festival in March, the entire race schedule at Cheltenham has been under review with the races for mares thought to be under the closest scrutiny of the Jockey Club.

My Saturday NAP

SPARTAN ARMY ew (3.10, Newcastle)

Looks a great each-way bet to give Alan King a third win in the Plate. Billy Loughnane, fresh off his Royal Ascot heroics, is a great booking in the saddle too.

Although nothing has been confirmed, it is believed officials are on the verge of changing the credentials needed to tackle the Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle won, since its creation in 2008, by the likes of Quevega, Honeysuckle and Lossiemouth.

It’s quite clear to most racing fans the Mares’ Hurdle is a nightmare.

First of all, it usually evolves around one or two horses, and secondly, and much more importantly, it gives mares who should be in the Champion Hurdle a ‘gimme’.

That has been clear not only with Quevega, Honeysuckle and Lossiemouth, but also Annie Power, who somehow never won the Mares’, but did take the 2016 Champion purely because her better fancied stable companion, Faugheen, was injured and had to miss the main event.

Annie Power was switched from the lesser race at the last minute.

Breeders — in particular Honeysuckle’s Peter Molony — insist the Mares’ race must continue in its current guise as it’s encouraging the fairer sex to be kept in training.

Indeed, Moloney says the whole of the National Hunt breeding programme will fall down if mares are denied their big day at Prestbury Park.

That, of course, is absolute nonsense.

Writing on X, Moloney said: “New proposal would mean no mare who won a Grade 1 in the previous 13 months would be eligible to run in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. Collapse of the mare trade we’ve all worked so hard to build!! Sledgehammer & nuts!!”

Let’s get this clear. For a start, if you are the breeder or seller of a filly or mare the chance of you winning the Mares’ Hurdle is very small.

And even smaller if she is not trained by Willie Mullins.

So the concept of breeders just eyeing up this one prize to carry on what they are doing is laughable.

Even more crazy would be people going about splashing cash on a mare just to try and win the Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle.

As I have said, if Moloney is right either all breeders, sellers and buyers are thick, or delusional.

The promotion of mares is important in the sport. That should always happen. A Grade 1 victory at Cheltenham, however, is not.

If your mare is worthy of that they can still win the Champion Hurdle.

I have long suggested the Mares’ Hurdle should be limited to horses rated 0-150 and given Grade 2 status. I stick by that.

If someone suggested it was turned into a handicap I’d also believe that was very sensible.

Breeders, owners and trainers will all want the Mares’ Hurdle to stay as it is. Why? Because it’s easier to win than the Champion Hurdle.

Hold on. I thought winning at Cheltenham was meant to be the ultimate challenge.

Not just a gift for rich people either able to trade or a breeder looking for a quick fix.

Stand firm Cheltenham. You refuse to make your meeting great again by going back to three days.

But at least do the right thing and try and make some of your races competitive once again.

Today domestically it’s all about the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle, and Zoffee goes again having done this column a great favour when landing the Chester Cup.

I’ll be playing Spartan Army each-way for Alan King with Billy Loughnane a tasty jockey booking, while on Sunday I fully expect Los Angeles to take the Irish Derby.

Let’s hope neither has a ‘mare’!