The 2022 Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle: statistics, trends, history and replays

When and where can I watch it?: 4.15pm on Thursday 17 March, live in stunning HD on Racing TV.

What Grade? Grade Two. What Course?: New Course. What distance?: 2m1f (eight hurdles)

Prize Money: £67,500. Age restrictions: 4yo+ Weights and Allowances: 5yo+ 11st 2lb; 4yo 10st 9lb.

Sponsor: Ryanair

Mullins and Irish dominance:

Willie Mullins has trained five of the six winners of this race. His four runners were all unplaced last year as Tellmesomethinggirl led home a 1-2 for Henry de Bromhead.

Only two British-trained horses have placed in the last four runnings - Cap Soleil (2018) at 10/1 when beaten 18 lengths by Laurina and Raynas World (2020) at 100/1, beaten over 15 lengths by Concertista.

French grounding:

Five of the six winners were all French-bred and started their jumping careers in France. Last year's winner Tellmesomethinggirl was both Irish-bred Irish point winner, while the third Mighty Blue started out in France on the Flat.

Few market surprises:

Eglantine Du Seuil (2019) caused a 50/1 shock but, in its early years, this race has thrown up few surprises. Three short-priced favourites have won, while the last two winners returned at 9/2 and 5/1.

Listed or Graded form a plus:

Limini (2016) and Laurina (2018) won the Grade 3 Solerina Mares Hurdle at Fairyhouse that season, while Lets Dance (2017) won the Nathaniel Lacy (then a Grade 2 race). Concertista (2020) was beaten a nose in the race the previous year.

The Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle was first run in 2016 and is registered as the Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle in honour of the legendary mare who remains the only horse to win the Champion Hurdle and the Gold Cup.

Paddy Mullins trained Dawn Run and his son Willie Mullins has won all five renewals of this race so far with Limini (2016), Let’s Dance (2017), Laurina (2018), Eglantine Du Seuil (2019) and Concertista (2020). Last year he saddled the 1-2-4-5 and he had the 1-2 in 2019.

Ruby Walsh is the leading jockey with two wins and Paul Townend deputised for the injured rider at the 2018 Festival to add his name to the honours board. Noel Fehily was aboard the surprise winner in 2018, with Daryl Jacob striking in 2020. Rachael Blackmore won the race last year during her record-breaking meeting.

Telmesomethinggirl (5/1) careered clear under a fine Rachael Blackmore ride to give the jockey her fifth winner of a memorable Cheltenham Festival - and a first victory in this race to a trainer other than Willie Mullins as Henry de Bromhead saddled the first two home.

Settled at the back of the field early on, Blackmore creeped closer in the Honeysuckle silks of Kenny Alexander and won with plenty in hand from stablemate Magic Daze (22/1) in second with Mighty Blue 912/1) in third.

"It’s been an incredible week," said De Bromhead. "The horses are flying, the jockey is flying and it’s been brilliant.

“We’re very lucky to have good mares like these and good owners.

“I thought this mare had a chance. I thought on ratings we might struggle a little bit, but I thought both of ours had a squeak.

“Magic Daze ran a cracker as well to finish second, having made all, which is a hard thing to do in this race."

Just touched off by stablemate Eglantine Du Seuil 12 months ago, Concertista went into this race still a maiden – but put that right in emphatic fashion.

Daryl Jacob brought the six-year-old, owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, with a powerful run in the straight and the 9-2 chance shot past stablemate Dolcita as she and stormed up the hill to win by 12 lengths.

Rayna’s World passed a host of rivals on the run-in to grab third place for trainer Phil Kirby and jockey Thomas Dowson at odds of 100-1.

Mullins said: "She hadn't won a race since winning on the Flat in France in 2017 - I'm not sure whose been training her! That's a nice way to break the duck, anyway.

"Hopefully our mare will be a good mare now. I'm delighted to win the race again."

That man Willie Mullins landed the Dawn Run once again, but it was 50-1 shot Eglantine Du Seuil who sprung a big surprise under 43-year-old Noel Fehily.

The mare had eight rivals in front of her two furlongs from home but really picked up approaching the final flight and stayed on strongly up the hill to prevail by a short head in one of the finishes of the week.

Fehily produced his moment with a fine ride and announced his imminent retirement shortly after the race to Racing TV's Lydia Hislop. Eglantine Du Seuil was his final Festival winner in a decorated career in the saddle.

“I wasn’t well for a while earlier in the year and I’ve been thinking about it for a couple of weeks.

"I’m delighted to be able to go out on a winner, especially for Jared (Sullivan, owner) who has been so good to me.

“I’m not getting any younger and it’s time to start working now. I’ve loved every minute of it and had great support, but it’s time to let everyone else get on with it."

Laurina was one of the most impressive winners of the week as the 4-7 favourite destroyed her rivals by no less than 17 lengths for trainer Willie Mullins, jockey Paul Townend and owner Jared Sullivan.

With a third successive win, Mullins remained the only trainer to win the Dawn Run at the Festival and, in the race named after the star trained by his father Paddy, the trainer brought up his 61st Cheltenham Festival success - more than anyone else in history.

“To do that against the best in the British Isles is unbelievable,” said Mullins. “She looked special there.

“We’ve always thought this mare was very decent. There was me thinking that Footpad was the best chance of the week!”

The 11-8 favourite made it four from four for trainer Willie Mullins, jockey Ruby Walsh and owners Rich and Susannah Ricci with another victory in the Festival’s newest race by nearly three lengths.

The five-year-old brought up a brilliant four-timer on the day for Mullins and Walsh after victories for Yorkhill (JLT Novices’ Chase), Un De Sceaux (Ryanair Chase) and Nichols Canyon (Stayers’ Hurdle).

The Irish won six races on the day’s card in a record-equalling feat at the Festival.

Confidently ridden by Walsh, Let’s Dance was delivered late by the master jockey and a great jump at the last sealed the deal as the mare powered up the famous hill.

“Looking at where she was turning for home a lot of things had to fall right,” said Mullins.

“To have Ruby on our side is worth so much because he changes his mind two or three times in races when things are not going to plan. He can read races and take a chance – he’s a huge asset.”

“Give it up on the handicaps and have it all on Limini!”

Tony Mullins, a regular on the preview night circuit, was not shy in voicing his confidence in Limini and his optimism was widely shared as one of the Festival ‘good things’ obliged for happy punters.

The 8-11 favourite coasted turning into the straight and streaked clear after the last in great style for Ruby Walsh, Willie Mullins and Rich and Susannah Ricci to win by four and a half lengths and continue a fantastic week for the jockey, trainer and owners.

“She’s a little gem and jumped like a buck,” said Walsh. “There was never a moment’s worry.

“She was given as the banker a long time ago. We told everyone for the last six weeks and she was just a shade of odds-on. She’s deadly.”