Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Jane Seymour Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 5m 17.75s

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Selected odds by:

Holloway Queen⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 127| D

6/5

£180,000 buy after finishing second in an Irish point and has made a good start to her Rules career, winning Lingfield maiden in November and Haydock listed novice (19f, heavy) in December. Has a 5 lb penalty to shoulder but should still make a bold bid to make it 3-3 over hurdles.

Form: 2-11

Blue Las⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Dylan Johnston| T: N P Mulholland

8/1

Won 2 of 3 starts in bumpers and looks similarly promising over hurdles, building on opening Ffos Las second in November when easily going one better at the same venue 4 weeks later. Could do with brushing up on her jumping but there's almost certainly more to come.

Form: 411-21

Hollygrove Cha Cha⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 121

2/1

Won both starts in bumpers last spring and also landed her first 2 hurdles on return this winter. Suffered first defeat when second in 2m Taunton listed novice just after Christmas but it was another improved effort and the way she came back for more suggests she can do better again back at 2½m.

Form: 11-112

Mummy Derry⁸⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins

16/1

Punchestown bumper winner in October and bettered that form when second in a Navan listed bumper in November. This is no easy introduction to hurdling but she's still much respected given who trains her.

Form: 212

That'll Do Moss²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien

8/1

Point winner who landed a Uttoxeter bumper on her debut for new connections last summer. Only seventh in a Cheltenham listed bumper 5 months later but made no mistake on 2m Ayr hurdle debut since. This is harder but she looks capable of better.

Form: 51-171

Forecasts

Holloway Queen (6/5), Hollygrove Cha Cha (2/1), That'll Do Moss (8/1), Blue Las (8/1), Mummy Derry (16/1)

HOLLYGROVE CHA CHA should relish the return to 2½m and can provide Jamie Snowden with a third win in this Grade 2 since 2021. Holloway Queen has to give weight away all round but might still be the one to give the selection most to do unless the market vibes are notably strong surrounding Willie Mullins hurdle debutante Mummy Derry.