2025 Mares Hurdle Tips – The Battle Between Brighterdaysahead and Lossiemouth
The Mares Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival has become a highlight in the racing calendar.
It draws attention from fans who enjoy seeing talented female horses challenge each other over the famous course.
In 2025, the race is set for Tuesday, March 11th, and there is already a buzz around who might reign supreme.
Which are the leading horses for the upcoming event? What are our Mares Hurdle tips? Why is the spotlight resting firmly on the potential showdown between Brighterdaysahead and Lossiemouth and can of their rivals pip them to the post?
The Build-Up to 2025
The 2025 renewal of the Mares’ Hurdle on day one of the Festival promises to be no different in terms of excitement and fierce rivalry.
A list of entries includes Brighterdaysahead, Lossiemouth, Jade De Grugy, July Flower, Kargese, Golden Ace, Take No Chances, Kala Conti, Jetara, Dysart Enos, Lot of Joy, Feet Of A Dancer, Lantry Lady, Nurse Susan, the Queens Gamble and more.
With 23 runners in contention and a maximum of 24 runners allowed, it is feasible that all will run, however unlikely that prospect may seem.
At least half will get scratched over the next few weeks, and if 2024 is anything to go by, only around 11 or 12 will make it to the starting tape.
As with any Cheltenham Festival race, fans are already studying form lines from the current season.
Some trainers choose to protect their star mares, running them sparingly before Cheltenham to keep them fresh. Others prefer to test their horses in competitive trials to ensure they are battle-ready.
These differing approaches often make it challenging for bettors to decide who’s in the best shape until the final declarations.
In any case, with so many potentially high-class mares in the mix, it takes a good understanding of the form and the style of each horse to reach a final judgment.
Let’s take a look at the top contenders.
Brighterdaysahead
Brighterdaysahead has captured the racing public’s imagination thanks to a series of eye-catching performances in the last year.
She is known for a smooth jumping style at each hurdle and her powerful stride near the finish.
Trained by Gordon Elliott, reports suggest that she has matured well through her latest campaign. If you examine her form, there are clear indications that she relishes a stiff finish like the one found at Cheltenham.
One point that makes Brighterdaysahead particularly appealing is her ability to handle different ground conditions. She has shown that she can produce a strong effort on both good and soft surfaces.
In the lead-up races of this season, she put in a couple of strong runs, winning a Grade 3 hurdle in fine style before bagging two Grade 1 events in the Morgiana Hurdle (Punchestown) and the Neville Hotels Hurdle in December at Leopardstown.
The question is whether she can deal with the class of opponents like Lossiemouth and Jade De Grugy.
Her supporters will argue that any slight edge in fitness or tactics could swing it in her favour, particularly if she’s ridden with confidence.
She might press on in the middle of the race, aiming to put others under pressure. If she jumps fluently and finishes with her usual strength, there is every chance she could come out on top.
Lossiemouth
Lossiemouth, from Willie Mullins, has been heralded as one of the most refined younger mares in the sport, and the quality of her runs suggests that she remains a primary threat in this year’s Mares’ Hurdle.
Once she stepped into races against more experienced horses, she continued to hold her own, indicating that her talent is real rather than the product of an easy juvenile division.
A hallmark of Lossiemouth’s approach is her acceleration after the final hurdle. Many watchers comment on the way she settles during the early stages, saving energy, then moves forward with a decisive run once asked by her jockey.
When she gets a clear passage, she can quicken away from the field in a matter of strides. If the race in March sets up at a reasonable gallop, Lossiemouth could be well-placed to strike late.
She is the current Mares Hurdle Champion having won this race in 2024 and from three starts this season has won once, finished second to Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle and unfortunately fell in the Irish Champion Hurdle.
That’s probably why Brighterdaysahead has edged her out in the betting markets.
July Flower
July Flower, from Henry De Bromhead, might not carry the same level of hype as Brighterdaysahead or Lossiemouth, but she is no stranger to success.
She has delivered consistent performances over the past two seasons, earning her trainer and connections plenty of credit.
Though she has sometimes been overshadowed by bigger names, her record includes a couple of wins in good company, plus a commendable placing in a Grade 1 last season.
One strength July Flower brings is her strong front-running style. She likes to race up with the pace, ensuring she is not caught behind traffic.
This can be a huge asset in a race like the Mares’ Hurdle, where a slow early pace can lead to congestion on the downhill sections.
If she can dictate terms from the front without burning too much energy, she has the capacity to stay on well in the final stages.
Moreover, July Flower’s connections have indicated that she does especially well at courses with an uphill finish.
The Cheltenham run-in requires stamina, and her trainer firmly believes this track suits her.
The main query is whether she has the outright class to subdue the top favourites. In the past, she has shown that if she’s left alone in front for too long, she can be hard to reel in.
However, if pressed early by a recognised star, she might struggle to keep finding that extra gear. She remains a lively contender who cannot be written off.
Jade De Grugy
Jade De Grugy, half-sister to a past Champion Chase winner (Sire De Grugy), brings a star name to the Mares’ Hurdle.
Her breeding points to natural ability, especially in terms of jumping, and she does not disappoint when you look at her track results.
Though she had a few minor injuries in previous seasons, she returned to action this year, quickly reminding the public of her talent by winning a well-run Grade 3.
The question is whether Jade De Grugy can thrive at this distance against rivals who have proven strength in longer hurdle events.
If conditions are in her favour, she can gain an advantage by jumping quickly and keeping close to the pace.
Jade De Grugy also benefits from being trained by Willie Mullins, who is known to make wise tactical choices in big races.
The key factor is how she handles the final uphill stretch. If her stamina stays intact, she could be right there at the finish, ready to pounce.
Other Contenders
While the main focus is on the four names above, the rest of the field cannot be dismissed.
Kargese and Golden Ace both have proven track records in lower-grade events, though they would need to improve to beat the favourites.
Take No Chances is an interesting runner who has occasionally shown glimpses of top form but remains unpredictable. Kala Conti and Jetara have each been lightly raced this season, possibly hinting at hidden progress that might surface in March.
Dysart Enos, Lot of Joy, and Feet Of A Dancer have each placed in graded races before. They have the level of class that could see them slip into contention if the big guns fail to fire on the day.
Lantry Lady, Nurse Susan, and Queens Gamble also bring winning form at different levels. Although they appear to be outsiders, upsets can happen at Cheltenham, especially if the pace or ground conditions turn out to suit a particular runner.
Keep an eye on the official racecard and as the event draws nearer, you’ll see clues in the form lines, trainer comments, and betting patterns that might highlight an underdog ready to make a splash.
2025 Mare’s Hurdle Tips
BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD
All four main contenders have strong arguments in their favour and many pundits consider Brighterdaysahead and Lossiemouth to be neck-and-neck in ability.
Brighterdaysahead might be a shade more versatile in terms of racing style and ground conditions. Lossiemouth has an explosive finishing kick that can settle matters in seconds.
Between them, Brighterdaysahead could be the safer option if you trust consistent form lines over various types of races.
She shows fewer quirks under pressure and has been tested in tight finishes. Lossiemouth, however, brings that youthful flair and might improve further. If she takes another step forward, it might be enough to outpace her rivals.
Regarding July Flower, she needs a race that lets her set the pace without any major challenges early on. If that happens, she can build up a lead and dig deep.
Yet against top-class opponents who won’t give her an easy time, it may be tough to maintain that advantage.
Jade De Grugy is perhaps the dark horse of the four, especially if she has improved her staying power. She might catch punters by surprise if the race unfolds to suit a mare with a blend of speed and decent stamina.
As far as Mares Hurdle tips go, if asked to pick one likely winner, Brighterdaysahead appears to have the most well-rounded set of assets.
She copes with stiff tracks, can be ridden prominently or from behind, and has posted consistent ratings but it really is neck-and-neck with Lossiemouth.
Odds Correct at Time of Publication
- 1/2 Brighterdaysahead
- 5/4 Lossiemouth
- 4/1 July Flower
- 9/2 Jade De Grugy
- 6/1 Kargese
- 8/1 Golden Ace
- 9/1 Take No Chances
- 10/1 Kala Conti
- 16/1 Jetara
- 25/1 Dysart Enos
- 28/1 Gala Marceau
- 33/1 Lot Of Joy
- 33/1 Queens Gamble
- 33/1 Lantry Lady
- 40/1 Got Glory
BETFRED
