Mares’ Hurdle – Cheltenham 2017 Day 1 Tips

How can you take on Limini now?

Tuesday – Mares’ Hurdle
Beats Apples Jade on her seasonal return last month and skips the Champion Hurdle in favour of this. An Irish banker surely? Maybe not…

Apples Jade may or may not come on for the run, Gordon Elliott wasn’t making excuses but after a bit of a lay off and so close to Cheltenham, it would be a surprise if she didn’t have a bit more to come.

And what about Vroum Vroum Mag if she runs here too? Surely her crown won’t be given up easily.

It is probably fair to say is that Donald McCain will remain the only English trainer in this race as it definitely looks Irish bound. It’s just whether there will be a third name on the roll of honour or will it be Willie Mullins for the eighth time?

Jer’s The Girl
With BoyleSports offering money back if your horse finishes second or third to the SP favourite, at this stage I’d be suggesting a punt on Jer’s Girl at 7/1.

The five-year-old is 0-2 this season but this would be a perfect stage to put that right. Her seasonal return was delayed when withdrawn by the vets at Navan and she has taken in two difficult assignments against the lads for her first time outside of novice company. Although no match for her rivals in the Morgiana Hurdle and the Ryanair Hurdle, she wasn’t disgraced.

Don’t forget, last season Jer’s Girl was just a head off Apples Jade at Leopardstown before transforming herself in the spring of the year when she bolted in at Fairyhouse. That was before doing something similar against the geldings at Punchestown.

Her two most impressive efforts were over 2m4f and the trip next Tuesday can help see her bounce back to form.

One of the most important factors about Jer’s Girl is that she’s by Jeremy and loves to see a bit of a dig in the ground. They are predicting a dry start to the Cheltenham Festival but surely there will be some cut in it on Tuesday and it will be no better than good to soft.

She could run a big race and could be a lot shorter if one of the Mullins/Ricci fillies don’t show up.

If she just falls short to Limini, at least you have the consolation of getting your money back as a free bet with BoyleSports. Another nice ride for Mark Walsh to look forward to.

Recommended Bet:
Jer’s Girl EW (7/1) – Mares’ Hurdle, Tuesday 4.10

*Prices correct at time of publication.