This tip has expired. Please check our free horse racing tips section of the website to find the most up to date.
4.50 Daylesford Mares' Novices' Hurdle
Thursday 12 March | Age: 4yo+ | Prize: £90,000
The Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle is the newest race at the Cheltenham Festival.
THIS race is a relatively new addition to the festival and as the years go on no doubt it will grow in prestige and quality.
There appears to me to be a better field this year than last year. When we previewed this race for the Gambla Racing podcast I didn’t have a fancy at all but I now have one that I am very keen on.
I had my eye on CONCERTISTA for the handicaps this year but she goes here now. Her form has been franked on Wednesday with Black Tears running a stormer only to lose to a horse who had appealed to have her handicap mark dropped two pounds (don’t get me started on that by the way). Concertista ran really well in third behind Black Tears that day and she should be on to run a massive race in this company.
I have tweeted out on Wednesday afternoon so that people can grab the prices before they go. Currently some 15-2 and 7-1 available but I’ll call it 13-2 because I expect that to go quickly.
COLREEVY (4.50) can prove a rewarding each-way selection in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Favourite Minella Melody carries a 5lb penalty, which is a slight negative, but she has won all three starts for Henry de Bromhead, the latest coming in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse in January when giving weight and a beating to Mullins’ pair Colreevy and Dolcita.
Colreevy beat Abacadabras in a Punchestown bumper last spring and jockey bookings suggest she is favoured slightly over Dolcita.
They have both won easily on heavy ground, so conditions shouldn’t be a problem. Nicky Henderson’s Floressa looks best of the home contingent.
In the short history of this race, Willie Mullins has saddled every single winner.
Last year it was his 6th or 7th string who won at odds of 50/1, so it’s well worth heavily studying every horse of his. The one who has taken my fancy is DOLCITA, who is the most unexposed of his runners, only having two runs for Willie since coming from G Macaire’s yard in France.
Her recent third to Minella Melody in the Grade 3 was a good effort, where she travelled through the race like the winner, but jumped the last with no fluency and that cost her that race.
She’s not been seen since, and I imagine she has been schooled immensely and will have progressed nicely.
She’s slightly shorter priced than I hoped for, currently sitting at around 7/1, but with 4 places on offer I’d be happy enough to play her EW.
The main danger would have to be Concertista who finished second in this race last year on her first ever start over hurdles at odds of 66/1. Her recent run will set her up nicely for this, as she finished behind Black Tears, who finished second at Cheltenham today.
She’s been heavily backed over the last 24 hours, and I feel like Dolcita is much better value, especially as she’s only had the two runs for Willie.
There are a lot of nice mares in this race, and I wouldn’t put anyone off going for something different in what looks to be a cracking, but very open race.
ITV Racing 4/1 Offer at Bet365
Back a winner at 4/1 or more and get a risk free bet on the next live ITV race (up to £50).
Only available to new and eligible customers. Bet restrictions and T&Cs apply.
Bet365 – £100 in Free Bet Credits
Simply open a new account, make you first deposit and Bet365 will match that deposit with up to £100 in bet credits.
Open Account Offer. Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5 and 1x settled bet requirement to release Bet Credits. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
888Sport – Bet £10 Get 40
Use promo code: RACING to claim £40 in Free Bets at 888sport when you open a new account and place a first bet of £10.
New customers only – £10 deposit using promo code “RACING” – First bet must be placed on any market – Minimum stake £10 at odds of 1/2 (1.5) – Free bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days – Free bet stakes not included in returns – Deposit balance is available for withdrawal at any time. General deposit method & withdrawal restrictions apply & Full T&C’s apply.
Paddy Power – Bet £20 Get £5 for Each Race
Place a £/€20 sports bet on the first race at 13:30 (Supreme Novices' Hurdle) Tuesday, 10th of March. Get a £/€5 free bet for every other race on the card.
Place a single £20 (or £10 e/w) Sports bet on the first race Cheltenham
Tuesday 10th March and get a £5 free bet for each of the subsequent
races on the Card.. Deposits using Cards, ApplePay or PayPal only. Free
bets are only valid for the specified race and are awarded when the
qualifying bet has been settled. Free bet stakes not returned with
winnings. T&Cs Apply.
BetVictor – Bet £10 Get £50 + 50 Free Spins
Place your first bet of £10 or more at odds of evens (2.00) or greater and get £30 in Sports Free Bets, a £20 Casino Bonus + 50 Free Spins.
New Customers, register and place your first bet of £10 or more at odds of evens (2.00) or greater; excludes cashed out bets. Get £30 in Free Bets, plus a £20 Casino Bonus, wager 40x to withdraw winning 7 day expiry and 50 free spins on Scudamore’s Super stakes 3 day expiry. Offer Valid 10:00GMT Monday 2nd March 2020 until 23:59GMT Friday 13th March 2020. Credit/Debit Card deposits only. Geographical Restrictions and T&C's Apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
Unibet – Bet £10 Get £50
Bet £10 on Cheltenham and get £50 worth of free bets (which includes a £10 Casino Bonus) at Unibet.
New customers only. 18+, BeGambleAware.org. Min deposit £10. £40 Racing Bonus. £10 Casino Bonus. Once your £10 qualifying Cheltenham bet is settled your £40 Racing bonus will then be triggered. Wagering requirements: Racing 1x, odds of 2.00 minimum (1/1) for each bet placed. £10 Casino Bonus, 35x. Only one bonus can be used at a time. Racing bonus must be wagered before using the Casino bonus, unless the Racing bonus has been forfeited. Bonus will expire after 7 days of opt-in.
Ladbrokes – Get £20 in Free bets when You Bet £5
Use promo code: 20FREE to claim £20 in Free Bets when you open a new account and bet £5 at Ladbrokes.
18+ Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&Cs apply.
William Hill – Bet £5 Get £10
Bet £5 to claim a £10 Free Bets at William Hill when you open a new account and place a first bet.
New online customers only, min £5/€5 stake, win only, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 X £5/€5, 30 day expiry, free bet/payment method/player/country restrictions apply. See full terms below.
SBK – Deposit £20 Get £20 Risk-Free
Grab a £20 risk-free bet on the brand new betting app from SBK. They'll give a £20 risk-free bet when you open a new account and deposit £20.
New customers only. Deposit £20 by card. Trustly or bank transfer only, for a refund of your first £20 of losses. T&Cs apply. 18+. BeGambleAware.org
Mansionbet – Up to £50 Welcome Bonus
New customers can claim up to £50 as a welcome bonus at Mansionbet.
New customers only. Min Deposit £10. Deposit & bonus amount must be wagered 6 times (min odds 4/5) prior to withdrawing bonus funds and any winnings. Wins from real money bets withdrawable at any time. Bonus on sports betting only. T&Cs apply.