World News – GB – Mares ‘Chase to replace Novices’ Handicap Chase at Cheltenham

The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase will replace the Listed Novices’ Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March

The British Horseracing Authority announced in August last year that a mare hunt would be added to the schedule at the Prestbury Park flagship meeting from 2021, replacing an existing race that had not yet been decided

The race to retire has been the subject of much debate, but it has been confirmed to be the Listed novice handicap race, which was established when a fourth was added. day at the Cheltenham Festival in 2005

The Novice Disability Pursuit, which was traditionally held on the opening day of the Festival, will now take place in Sandown as part of the Paddy Power Imperial Cup reunion a few days before the Festival

Second-year Ms. Paddy Power Mares ‘new pursuit, listed as Liberthine Mares’ Chase, will take place on Gold Cup day, with the annual big race moving to Wednesday and the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle moving on opening day

Cheltenham Race Director Simon Claisse said: “We are looking forward to being able to incorporate the pursuit of Mrs Paddy Power Mares into the 2021 Festival race calendar. Not only is this a great example of the sport working together to boost the mare racing program in Britain for the benefit of the industry, but we also now have an improved mare population providing quality competition. >

« Deciding which race to replace was not an easy decision and it was important that we took into account all the factors and feedback we received. But when we assessed the other novice pursuit opportunities at the Festival, along with the importance of maintaining the current balance of lawsuits and obstacles over the four days, this was seen as the best option »

Eleven-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls has welcomed the introduction of a mare hunt at the Festival and is hoping to saddle Laurina – winner of the second year mare novice show at the Festival of Cheltenham when coached by Willie Mullins

Nicholls said: “I fully support the introduction of the Mares’ Chase and the positive impact it will have on the racing industry

« There will certainly be a lot of good mares in Britain and Ireland to challenge her and hopefully I have a good candidate at Laurina It looks like the obvious race for her, and she already has good form at Cheltenham , so that will definitely be a potential target for her in March.

« Choosing which race to lose will no doubt have been a difficult decision, but in this case at least these horses will have plenty of opportunities elsewhere. »

Ruby Walsh, the Festival’s all-time best rider with 59 wins, said: “The pursuit of the Mares will be a great addition to the Festival, especially when it takes place over a three or four year period.

« Show jumping horses rarely have financial value when they finish the race, but for owners who are lucky enough to have a good mare, they can be worth a considerable sum as broodmares and so owners get a certain return on their investment

« Therefore, the need for mare-only races is paramount to the value of unranked fillies, to encourage owners to buy them as racehorses Having the pursuit of Mrs Paddy Power Mares to accompany the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle adds to the allure of buying a filly

« Cheltenham is showing its support for the breeding industry by adding this breed and, in my opinion, showing loyalty to the entire horse industry and not just the sport »

Paddy Power makes Salsaretta trained by Willie Mullins the 6-1 favorite for the inaugural race, ahead of his teammate Elfile and the heroine Arkle of Bromhead’s Henry Put The Kettle On at 8-1

Steeplechase, Cheltenham Festival, Centenary Novices’ Handicap Chase, Horse Racing, Paddy Power