Brighterdaysahead was the big ante-post favourite for the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival but connections have announced that she’s being aimed at the Champion Hurdle instead. With that in mind, everyone will be on the lookout for one to fill the void. We’ve suggested a 33/1 shot alternative that could well be overpriced. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing, where you can find our ante-post Cheltenham Festival tips.
Jetara (33/1, bet365) could surprise a few here and her best form suggests she should be right in the mix. Clearly she’s very adaptable as the seven-year-old got the better of Kateira in the Grade 2 Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle at Doncaster last time out and even won a 1m4f maiden on the Flat in November.
The stiff 2m4f here at Cheltenham should suit this strong staying sort perfectly and she’ll undoubtedly be doing her best work at the business end of the race. Her third behind July Flower in December was a little disappointing but her jumping was below-par and she’s probably better than that.
Willie Mullins’ Jade De Grugy now heads the market and she has done little wrong so far, despite only managing fourth in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle here last season. Whilst clearly talented, she’s not the banker that Brighterdaysahead was and is therefore opposable.
Jessica Harrington’s mare was beaten less than four lengths when second to Ballyburn in a Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival. There are candidates with more consistent form profiles but this race could bring out the best in Jetara and at such a big price, there are few better each-way plays.
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