Close Brothers Mares Hurdle (David Nicholson Mares Hurdle)

Grade – 1 (Grade 2 until 2015)
Course – Cheltenham (Old Course)
Race Type – Hurdle
Distance – 2 Miles 4 Furlongs (20 Furlongs)
Ages – 4yo +
Weights – 10st 7lb (4yo), 11st 5lb (5yo +)
Sponsor – Close Brothers

Grade 1

Recent Form and Trends

Trends

Age – 9 of the last 12 winners were aged 5-7
Price – 5 of the last 12 winners were favourites/joint-favourites, 10/12 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
Last Run – 9/12 winners won on their last run before the Mares Hurdle, 10/12 winners ran within the last 52 days
Previous Course Form – 8/12 winners had at least 1 previous run at Cheltenham, 4/12 had at least 1 previous win at Cheltenham
Previous Distance Form – 11/12 winners had at least 2 previous runs over 19-21 furlongs, 10/12 winners had at least 3 previous runs over 19-21 furlongs, 11/12 had at least 1 previous win over 19-21 furlongs, 9/12 winners had at least 2 previous wins over 19-21 furlongs
Previous Hurdle Form – 11/12 winners had at least 6 previous runs over hurdles, 11/12 had at least 3 previous wins over hurdles
Rating – 9/12 winners had a rating of 148 or higher
Graded Wins – 10/12 winners had at least 1 previous win in a Grade 1-3 race
Season Form – 8/12 winners had at least 2 previous runs that season, 8/12 winners had at least 1 previous win that season

Future Form

Trends

Next Run
7 of the last 12 winners won on their next run after the Mares Hurdle, 2/12 placed on their next run
3/12 winners ran in the Champion Stayers Hurdle (Punchestown) (Previously World Series Hurdle), 2 of the 3 won, 1 placed
3/12 winners ran in the Mares Champion Hurdle (Punchestown) on their next run, 3 of the 3 won, 0 placed

Rest of The Season Runs
8 of the last 12 winners ran in at least 1 more race that season
6/12 won at least 1 more race that season, 1/12 placed in at least 1 more race that season

Next Cheltenham Festival Run
7/12 winners ran in the Mares Hurdle again at the next Cheltenham Festival, 2 of the 7 won, 2 placed
7/12 winners ran in the Champion Hurdle at the next Cheltenham Festival, 1 of the 1 won, 0 placed