Dinoblue defends her Mares’ Chase crown with minimum of fuss
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Fri 13 Mar 2026
Dinoblue again showed her toughness and reliability with a successful defence of her Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase crown at Cheltenham.
Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Marsh Walsh for owner JP McManus, the chestnut was sent off the 11-8 favourite in the same race she won by eight and a half lengths last year.
In the end victory was assured from some way out, with Dinoblue brushing aside the runner-up, Gavin Cromwell’s Only By Night, with ease up the hill to cross the line a length and a quarter ahead. Panic Attack was third for Dan Skelton.
A delighted McManus was flanked by his granddaughters as he said: “They travelled in from Switzerland today and they’re my lucky mascots. (They were here) this day last year, so the Gold Cup is their day – Gold Cup and Grand National.
“It was a competitive race and I think she got an excellent ride from Mark and what more can I say, I’m just very happy.”
More to follow.
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