Antepost: Mares Novice Hurdle

We're nearly there with 6 races left to preview. Of course my selections could change near the day on all races given the changes in ground etc, and the prices from a NRNB point of view are absolutely disgusting. Hopefully my views don't change too much, but they might with this race as I'm not definitely set on one either.

4:50 Cheltenham - 2m1f - Dawn Run Mares Novice Hurdle

Brighterdaysahead - 13/8

I've had this mare in mind for this race since the early season. Mainly due to vibes but also visually when so impressive in her first 2 novice hurdles. Her win at Down Royal was excellent and there's some depth to that form. I thought she was outstanding at Navan in a listed race over 2m5f last month too and she destroyed 2 decent mares on the bridle. The only thing that is nagging in my mind is that she suffered a setback through the season according to her trainer and setbacks never help their chances for Cheltenham no matter what.

Jade Du Grugy - 5/2

An impressive dual winner of two novice hurdles in Ireland this season including the Grade 3 Solerina at Fairyhouse in January. She's won comfortable in two starts and looks a potential star in the making for connections. She looks like she'll be even better next year after another summer on her back too as she still looks a little unfurnished.

Dysart Enos - 9/2

An impressive winner of the Grade 2 Mares bumper at Aintree last season, that form has stacked up well with several winners although nothing has stood out in terms of graded mares. I'm not overly keen on connections placing of Dysart Enos this year looking to avoid any sort of decent race and the 5lb they will receive is being massively overstated. She has beat a decent horse in Beat The Bat at Cheltenham, but hasn't really received a race in her other novice hurdles winning both at 1/7f. She's incredibly talented but the other 2 at the top of the betting have probably had a tougher campaign and a little more quality at the moment.

Golden Ace - 12/1

She looks the each way alternative to the front 3 in the market and has some bits of classy form. Dysart Enos has the beating of her on the Aintree bumper form, and i think the front two in the betting have her beating too. She beat Lucky Place at Taunton who has gone on to uphold that form, so she's clearly got a bit talent.

Birdie or Bust - 25/1

Beaten by Brighterdaysahead earlier in the season, she was in a race with Fun Fun Fun at Thurles and was lucky to take the race that day due to a serious error by Willie Mullins charge. Potential to run well at Cheltenham.

A Penny A Hundred - 50/1

Perhaps an each way alternative on the day at a huge price if you're getting 4 or 5 places depending on field size. Despite being beaten by Jetara and Jade Du Grugy since her opening maiden hurdle win, she's ran with credit both times and ran to the line in both contests.

Conclusion:

Not many horses to consider in this one with the front 3 in the market dominating. My preference would be for BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD right now as I've had her on my mind all season. She travels well and looks like she's got huge ability, and has winning form over further which is a plus for this race normally. Saying that it does look possible it will be a small field with the front 3 scaring off any other potential runners. Hopefully we see a truly run race and get the right result. The nagging doubt with Gordon Elliott's mare is she had a small setback over the winter, and that is never a positive for a horse going into Cheltenham. Assuming she comes on greatly from her listed win at Navan last month, she should be fit and firing for this race and she is my preference despite not being fully invested due to the setback news. I'm hoping her class shines through.

Jade Du Grugy looks another star in the making and I wouldn't put anyone off her. Dysart Enos won't be carrying the 5lb penalty which the front two will carry but I think that's being overstated by connections. I wonder if Aintree will be her cup of tea this season perhaps. I also don't trust the campaigning of her, and I would side with Elliott and Mullins over Fergal O'Brien.

If there's one who could stick out as a big price on the day and despite being held by Jade Du Grugy on form, and Brighterdaysahead on collateral form, A Penny A Hundred might give you a run for your money at a big price and might be staying onto the line well if things fall apart - worth considering if it's a big field and extra places are being paid.

Bets:

Brighterdaysahead - 2pts win @ 13/8 NRNB (Bet365)

Already Advised:

Cool Survivor - 2pts ew @ 12/1 NRNB - Kim Muir (Advised 05/03/2024)

Apple Away - 1.5pts ew @ 20/1 NRNB - Kim Muir (Advised 05/03/2024)

Theatre Man - 1pt ew @ 7/1 NRNB - TrustATrader Plate (Advised 04/03/2024)

Saint Felicien - 1.25pts ew @ 14/1 NRNB - TrustATrader Plate (Advised 04/03/2024)

Saint Roi - 1.5pts ew @ 7/1 NRNB - Grand Annual (Advised 04/03/2024)

Solness - 0.75pts ew @ 16/1 NRNB - Grand Annual (Advised 04/03/2024)

In Excelsis Deo - 0.75pts ew @ 16/1 NRNB - Grand Annual (Advised 04/03/2024)

Ballyadam - 1.25pts ew @ 25/1 NRNB - Coral Cup (Advised 01/03/2024)

Brazil - 1.25pts ew @ 20/1 NRNB - Coral Cup (Advised 01/03/2024)

Milan Tino - 1.5pts ew @ 8/1 (NRNB) - Fred Winter (Advised 29/02/2024)

Ose Partir - 0.75pts ew @ 25/1 (NRNB) - Fred Winter (Advised 29/02/2024)

Chianti Classico - 0.75pts win @ 8/1 (NRNB) - Ultima Handicap Chase (Advised 29/02/2024)

Meetingofthewaters - 0.75pts win @ 8/1 (NRNB) - Ultima Handicap Chase (Advised 29/02/2024)

Bold Endeavour - 0.75pts ew @ 33/1 - Pertemps Final (Advised 28/02/2024)

Gowel Road - 1.5pts ew @ 33/1 - Pertemps Final (Advised 28/02/2024

State Man - 2pts @ 8/11 (NRNB) - Champion Hurdle (Advised 28/02/2024)

Dancing City - 1.5pts ew @ 7/1 NRNB - Albert Bartlett (Advised 26/02/2024)

Firefox - 1pt ew @ 7/1 NRNB - Supreme Novices Hurdle (Advised 23/02/2024)

Embassy Gardens - 1pt win @ 5/2 NRNB - National Hunt Chase (Advised 22/02/2024)

Broadway Boy - 1.5pts ew @ 10/1 NRNB - National Hunt Chase (Advised 22/02/2024)

Facile Vega - 1pt win @ 5/1 NRNB - Turners Novice Chase (Advised 18/02/2024)

Ile Atlantique - 1pt win @ 6/1 NRNB - Baring Bingham Novices Hurdle (Advised 16/02/2024)

Predators Gold - 1pt ew @ 20/1 NRNB - Baring Bingham Novices Hurdle (Advised 16/02/2024)

Found A Fifty - 2pts ew @ 6/1 NRNB - Arkle Chase (Advised 16/02/2024)

Galvin - 1.5pts ew @ 9/2 NRNB - Cross Country (Advised 13/02/2024)

You Oughta Know - 1.5pts ew @ 11/1 NRNB - Champion Bumper (Advised 11/02/2024)

Fastorslow - 2pts ew @ 6/1 NRNB - Gold Cup (Advised 05/02/2024)

El Fabiolo - 2pts win @ Evens - Champion Chase (Advised 25/01/2024)

Captain Guinness - 0.5pts ew @ 25/1 - Champion Chase (Advised 25/01/2024)

Stay Away Fay - 1pt win @ 5/1 (NRNB) - Brown Advisory (Advised 22/01/2024)

Monty's Star - 0.5pts ew @ 16/1 - Brown Advisory (22/01/2024)

Irish Point - 1pt win @ 6/1 - Stayers Hurdle (Advised 15/01/2024)

Ashroe Diamond - 1.25pts ew @ 7/1 - Mares Hurdle (Advised 10/01/2024)

Appreciate It - 1pt ew @ 14/1 - Ryanair Chase (Advised 04/01/24)

Banbridge - 0.5pts ew @ 25/1 - Ryanair Chase (Advised 04/01/24)