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Quevega’s superiority in the last four years of this race deserves its recognition writes Milesey. The nine-year-old has not run since winning at Punchestown in April but looked in perfect shape this week when she galloped with another long-term absentee, Fiveforthree, and two other stablemates. Unaccompanied is a mare that has regularly been campaigned over 2m, compared with the extra 4f of the Mares’ Hurdle. However, the fact that she finished second in the Triumph Hurdle at the last Cheltenham Festival and is a Grade One winner over hurdles meant that she was most likely to put up a challenge to Quevega. Une Artiste was victorious on both her previous starts at Cheltenham, most notably when landing the Fred Winter at odds of 40/1 last season.
Last year's runner-up Kentford Grey Lady is in the list along with Paul Webber's Alasi, Donald McCain's She Ranks Me and David Pipe's Swing Bowler. Swing Bowler, who lost her unbeaten record behind My Tent Or Yours at Newbury on her latest start, and Henderson’s other entry Ma Filleule might both run for a place while Kentford Grey Lady, trained by Emma Lavelle, chased home the Cheltenham queen 12 months ago and is set to renew rivalry.
Tarla, a stable companion of Quevega, also features among the declarations along with a third Mullins entrant in Zuzka.
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OLBG Mares´ Hurdle
Although a few of these have run quick times, only two offer any kind of guarantee that they will act at Cheltenham: Quevega (1.69) and Une Artiste (8.80). And i can not oppose Quevega in her bid for a fifth consecutive win in this race, but i’ll also be backing Une Artiste in the win and place markets with some hope that she can cause an upset. Although still able to win races, Quevega is not at her very best on softer ground, conditions Une Artiste excels in.
Milesey
Mares Hurdle
This was a new race to the Festival in 2008 to commemorate former Champion Trainer David Nicholson.
Mares Hurdle 2012
Quevega on route to her fourth OLBG Mares Hurdle in 2012
Mares Hurdle Last Five Winners
Year Horse Age Trainer Jockey Price
2012 Quevega 8yo W Mullins R Walsh 4/7F
2011 Quevega 7yo W Mullins R Walsh 5/6F
2010 Quevega 6yo W Mullins R Walsh 6/4F
2009 Quevega 5yo W Mullins R Walsh 2/1F
2008 Whiteoak 5yo D McCain Jnr J Maguire 20/1
Mares Only Hurdle Trends
The amazing Quevega has won four of the five runnings of the OLBG Mares Hurdle so the best trend seems to be: back Quevega!
Hurdle Analysis
The mighty Quevega has won this race four times in succession and it is very hard to see how she won’t make it an amazing fifth Cheltenham Festival victory in the OLBG Mares Hurdle in 2013.
If Quevega achieves that success its hard to imagine her record ever being matched.
Quevega, Willie Mullins
Taking on a Cheltenham legend such as Quevega seems like folly so the most sensible idea is to bet on the without Quevega market.
UNE ARTISTE looks to be one of the few progressive mares who has proven form at this distance and Nicky Henderson’s five-year-old looks the best bet to win or finish second to Quevega.