The Cheltenham Festival has started, and fans and bettors have plenty of Grade 1 races to look forward to.
In this article, we tell you about the Mares’ Hurdle odds and betting markets.
The third day features two Grade 1 races – The Ryanair Chase and The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle.
The Mares’ Hurdle is run over 2 miles and 4½ furlongs. Mares (aged 4 or older) have to jump over 10 hurdles. Trainer Willie Mullins’ mare Quevega dominated the race six years in a row (2009–2014). Lossiemouth, another mare trained by him, is the two-time defending champion. However, it has been withdrawn from the race this year.
If you’re planning to bet on this race, read our guide on the best Mares’ Hurdle betting markets, latest odds, and what to look for in a runner.
New customers can check the Cheltenham Welcome Offer at 7bet.
Mares’ Hurdle Odds
UK Sportsbooks set the Mares’ Hurdle odds for each mare based on how likely they believe it is to win the race. Mares with strong records are given “short” odds, meaning their bets return a low amount. For example, you can expect short odds on previous winners.
Meanwhile, less experienced runners or those with low ratings are priced at longer odds. Their bets pay higher but can be risky as their chances of winning are low.
It is also important to remember that Mares’ Hurdle odds are not fixed. They often change in the days and even hours before the race begins. Prices can shift based on form in other races.
When browsing Mares’ Hurdle betting markets, these are some of the most common bets you’ll find:
- Win betting
- Forecast betting
- Tricast betting
Mares’ Hurdle Win Odds
Predicting the winner is one of the simplest ways to bet in any sports market. If your chosen mare wins, the bet pays out based on the odds provided by the bookmaker. Let’s say, a runner like Jade De Grugy is priced at 7/2. If it wins, your bet will return £7 for every £2 wagered. Your original stake is also returned.
When considering the Mare’s Hurdles Odds in the Win market, look for horses with the shortest odds. These will be considered the top contenders. However, keep an eye on late developments before the race, such as any injury updates or changes in ground conditions.
Current odds for the Mares’ Hurdle winner:
| Mare | Age/ Weight | Jockey / Trainer | Odds |
| Sunset Marquesa | 7 / 11-5 | J: Brendan Powell
T: Joe Tizzard |
SP |
| Jetara | 8 / 11-5 | J: Sam Ewing
T: Mrs John Harrington |
SP |
| Dream On Baby | 6 / 11-5 | J: Donagh Meyler
T: Emmet Mullins |
SP |
| Take No Chances | 8 / 11-5 | J: Harry Skelton
T: Dan Skelton |
SP |
| Feet Of A Dancer | 7 / 11-5 | J: Sean O’Keeffe
T: Paul Nolan |
SP |
| Jade De Grugy | 7 / 11-5 | J: Paul Townend
T: W P Mullins |
SP |
| Wodhooh | 6 / 11-5 | J: Jack Kennedy
T: Gordon Elliott |
SP |
Mares’ Hurdle Forecast & Tricast Odds
In this bet, you have to predict which two mares will finish first and second in the exact order. For example, you predict Mare A will be 1st and Mare B will be second. If the order is reversed or if only one mare places, the bet loses.
Bettors need to call two results correctly, making it a risky bet. For this reason, the potential payout in the forecast market is much higher than the win bet.
If predicting the exact place sounds too difficult, you can take the Reverse Forecast bet. This covers both possible places for your chosen mares. Take the Reverse Forecast if you believe that two runners clearly stand out from the rest of the field.
The Tricast market takes the bet a step further. Here, you have to predict the first three finishers in the right order. The chances of getting this right are even lower, so you can expect long odds in this market.
Popular Mares’ Hurdle Betting Markets
Here are some more markets to consider for the Cheltenham festival:
Each-Way Betting
This Mares’ Hurdle betting market combines two wagers:
- A win bet on the mare
- A place bet on the same mare finishing within a set place
It’s a popular bet in races with bigger fields. For example, a race with 12 runners may pay four places. That means your mare can either win or finish in the top four for the bet to succeed.
Here’s how it works: Suppose you like Feet Of A Dancer, but you’re not fully confident that it will win. Place a £10 each-way bet. This is split into two parts: £5 on the win and £5 on the place. If Feet Of A Dancer wins the race, both parts of the bet pay out. If the mare finishes second, third, or fourth, the win part loses, but the place bet still returns a payout.
Place odds are given as a fraction of the win odds. So, if the win odds are 10/1 and the place terms are 1/5, the place odds become 2/1. In this case, a £5 place bet will return £10 in profit, plus your £5 stake.
Take the each-way bet if the field is competitive with more than one past winner.
Match Bets
In this market, you pick two mares to go head-to-head. Basically, you have to predict which mare will finish ahead of the other. Only those two runners matter, and you don’t need to predict the winner. It is a safer choice for cautious bettors, as you can pick a previous winner to match against a low-rated mare to reduce your risk.
Non-Runner No Bet
Your stake is refunded if your mare is declared a non-runner. This can happen due to an injury or poor form.
Betting is only available to participants aged 18 years and over. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org