MARES’ CHASE

The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase is a new Festival race, ran for the first time in 2021. 

Registered as The Liberthine Mares' Chase, it is run over the same course and distance as the Ryanair Chase.

Grade 2 | 5yo+ | Friday 16.50
2 miles 4½ furlongs | 17 fences | New Course
Weight: 11st (5yo) / 11st 2lb (6yo+)*
Prize money (2022): £120,000 | 1st: £67,524
Penalties: a winner of a Grade 2 chase 3lb / of a Grade 1 chase 5lb

Each mare carries a minimum of 11st 2lb, with penalties incurred for winners of Grade 1 (5lb) and Grade 2 (3lb) chases.

The aim of the race is to encourage owners and trainers to continue to enhance the population of quality jumping mares to help guarantee the future of the sport.

It replaced the Centenary Novices’ Chase (moved to Sandown’s Imperial Cup card the weekend prior to the Festival).

Whilst too soon to identify any trends, it is no surprise at all to see Willie Mullins train the first two winners (1-2-4 in the inaugural run).

MARES’ CHASE 2024 ODDS

PREVIOUS WINNERS

YEAR
WINNER
JOCKEY / TRAINER
SP
2021
Impervious
Brian Hayes / Colm Murphy
15/8
2022
Elimay
Mark Walsh / Willie Mullins
9/4
2021
Colreevy
Paul Townend / Willie Mullins
9/4

Runner-up in the Mares' Chase 12 months earlier, Elimay got up in the closing stages in 2022, with four in with a chance at the last.

The grey, a remarkable 10th winner of the week for Willie Mullins, was ridden by Mark Walsh:

‘SHE’S GOT THE HEART OF A LION, SHE’S SO SMALL BUT SHE’S SO BRAVE. ALL SHE WANTS TO DO IT PLEASE YOU AND WIN FOR YOU AND THANKFULLY SHE DID THAT TODAY’

She had been just held off by her stablemate Colreevy in 2021, with the Mullins pair going head-to-head from a long way out:

‘THEY RAN THEIR HEARTS OUT. TWO REALLY GOOD JUMPERS AND BOTH JOCKEYS WANTED TO MAKE USE OF THAT AND THEY DID’