2m4f (2m3f200y) (Old) Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle) (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)
Black Tears won the Grade 3 Quevega Mares’ Hurdle at Punchestown less that one month before The Festival last year on her way to winning the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle, and the same yard are bidding to win it again with the massively unexposed QUEENS BROOK, from the Bective Stud.
A staying on second to Burning Victory over a similar distance, Queens Brook was giving the winner 3lbs on going officially described as soft-heavy. Whilst Burning Victory’s best performances have come on softer ground, Queens Brook has shown her best form on yielding and there was a lot to like about the runner-up’s performance.
Queens Brook has looked a slick hurdler in her opening six starts over the discipline. She skipped the Mares’ Novice last season with 2m 1f looking a bit short for her. She finished third in the 2020 Champion Bumper behind none other than Appreciate It and Ferny Hollow, but 0has most likely saved her best form for the Mares’ Hurdles distance of 2m 4f.
Gordon Elliott has made no secret about the fact that he has kept her less than fully fit in her warm-up runs and I think he has targeted her at this contest for some time.
The daughter of Shirocco looks like she has the most potential improvement in her and she’s still a fair price against the favourite Telmesomethinggirl, who is priced off last year’s Mares’ Novice Hurdle win, rather than this campaign, although her preparation does look deliberately targeted at this race. The strong pace expected to be set by Heaven Help Us and Stormy Ireland is sure to suit the selection too.
1pt win Queens Brook @4/1, 16:10 Cheltenham, Tuesday
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