The Ryanair Mares' Novices’ Hurdle is registered as the Dawn Run Mares' Novices’ Hurdle, named after the legendary mare.
It was introduced in 2016 as an alternative option to the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle for novice fillies and mares.
Now the opening race on Day 3 of the Festival, it is the first race to be run on the New Course.
Its addition to the Cheltenham Festival was one of various measures introduced to bolster the numbers of jumping mares in training.
MARES’ NOVICES’ HURDLE ODDS 2025
MARES’ NOVICES’ HURDLE TRENDS
Just like with the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle on Day 1, Willie Mullins dominated this race after its introduction, winning the first five (all with horses rated in the 140s).
That included a 1-2 in 2019 and a remarkable 1-2-4-5 in 2020.
However, he's saddled a total of 13 entries in the last four runnings with just one placed.
Nicky Henderson has yet to win the Mares' Novices’ Hurdle, including hot favourite Epatante who was ninth in 2019 - the year before winning the Champion Hurdle.
But his 50/1 shot, Ahorsewithnoname, finished second in 2022.
Nonetheless, British-trained horses have won the last three renewals.
LAST 5 WINNERS’ DATA
PREVIOUS WINNERS
Golden Ace 2024
Golden Ace - Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle 2024#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/EnGcAA7C3A
— Cheltenham Festival Fans (@cheltfestfans) September 11, 2024
You Wear It Well 2023
You Wear It Well - Jack De Bromhead Mares’ Novices' Hurdle 2023#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/PvAfUkMQvu
— Cheltenham Festival Fans (@cheltfestfans) August 3, 2023
Love Envoi retained her unbeaten record to win the Mares' Novices' Hurdle in 2022.
She is owned by the Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate, headed by the former jumps jockey (who landed this race on Eglantine Du Deauil before retiring in 2019):
Love Envoi - Mares Novices’ Hurdle 2022#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/fHTjYa7mZi
— Cheltenham Festival Fans (@cheltfestfans) February 13, 2023
Telmesomethinggirl came home five and a half lengths clear of stable companion Magic Daze in a 1-2 for trainer Henry de Bromhead in 2021:
Telmesomethinggirl - Mares Novices’ Hurdle 2021#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/l8MYeFXoxK
— Cheltenham Festival Fans (@cheltfestfans) February 13, 2023
Runner-up in 2019, Concertista bolted up a year later despite still being a maiden:
Concertista - Mares Novices’ Hurdle 2020#CheltenhamFestival
— Cheltenham Festival Fans (@cheltfestfans) October 23, 2021
pic.twitter.com/YsELCrA97q
It was a memorable 1-2 for Willie Mullins in 2019, with Eglantine Du Seuil and Concertista going off at 50/1 and 66/1 respectively.
The winner had been off the track since the previous September, while the runner-up was making her hurdling debut:
Eglantine Du Seuil - Mares Novices’ Hurdle 2019#CheltenhamFestival
— Cheltenham Festival Fans (@cheltfestfans) October 23, 2021
pic.twitter.com/s6E95ha3ON
Laurina lived up to her reputation to fully justify odds of just 4/7 in 2018, winning by 18 lengths despite an error at the last:
Laurina - Mares Novices’ Hurdle 2018#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/i0HiQ1BjZk
— Cheltenham Festival Fans (@cheltfestfans) February 14, 2023
Let's Dance 2017
Let’s Dance - Mares Novices’ Hurdle 2017#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/7LHFt7Mvuv
— Cheltenham Festival Fans (@cheltfestfans) February 14, 2023
Limini 2016
Limini - Mares Novices’ Hurdle 2016#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/YoCJQjnQje
— Cheltenham Festival Fans (@cheltfestfans) December 5, 2022