The Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle has been in operation at the Cheltenham Festival since 2016 and we’ve seen Willie Mullins oblige on every running of the race, with the Irish trainer an expert when it comes to discovering the talented mares who could eventually compete in the Mares’ Hurdle on Day One of the meeting.
Sometimes, horses such as Annie Power will go on to run in big races such as the Champion Hurdle and the Stayers’ Hurdle with a mares’ allowance, with Limini and Laurina the notable winners of this race and it’s little surprise that Mullins has the market leader for this encounter.
Gauloise is perhaps not as big a hot pot as some of her predecessors from the same stable, although there will still be plenty of bets placed on the five-year-old who has picked up a couple of wins this season and there looks to be more to come from this filly.
The horse was sent off as the 4/5 favourite to win a Maiden Hurdle at Thurles, while she then won a Listed Race at exactly the same price and her credentials are in evidence for this encounter although it’s always a competitive battle.
Gypsy Island is an intriguing runner and the seven-year-old was in excellent form when winning at Naas, Fairyhouse and Punchestown over the spring months, although we are yet to see the Peter Fahey-trained runner make an appearance this year.
Fahey could have another jewel in the crown when it comes to Royal Kahala and the six-year-old has landed three successive wins at Fairyhouse this season and that 3/1 victory was impressive considering that even money Hook Up was trading as the hotly-fancied favourite for that encounter.