Friday 13 March 2026 | 14:40 | Cheltenham New Course | 2m 4½f | Grade 2
The Mares' Chase is only five years old but it has already found its dominant force. Dinoblue won this race last year by nearly nine lengths and arrives in 2026 as the reigning champion, the highest-rated mare in the field, and the most consistent mares' chaser in training. Every trend points to her. Every tipster ends up back at her door.
There is one stat working against her. No horse aged nine or older has ever won this race. All five previous winners were aged seven or eight. Dinoblue turns nine this year. That is the one cloud in an otherwise clear sky – and it is the question every punter needs to answer before placing a penny on Friday's card.
The other question is Panic Attack. Dan Skelton's mare has been in the form of her life this season, winning four of her last five including two major handicaps and a Listed race. She is arguably the best mare Dinoblue has ever faced in this race. Whether she is good enough to dethrone the champion is what makes the 2026 Mares' Chase genuinely compelling.
Betting Odds
Mares' Chase Betting Odds – Cheltenham Festival 2026
Horse | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Dinoblue | 2/1 | 33.3% |
Panic Attack | 5/2 | 28.6% |
Spindleberry | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Only By Night | 7/1 | 12.5% |
Diva Luna | 8/1 | 11.1% |
July Flower | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Telepathique | 33/1 | 2.9% |
Piper Park | 100/1 | 1.0% |
All The Glory | 125/1 | 0.8% |
Key Trends
Mares’ Chase Key Trends Every Punter Should Know
The Mares' Chase has only five renewals to its name, so trends come with the caveat that the sample size is small. With that in mind, the patterns that have emerged are nonetheless striking:
- Irish Fortress: All five winners have been trained in Ireland. The best a British-trained runner has managed is second place – Pink Legend in 2023. Of the nine runners in 2026, only Panic Attack, Diva Luna, Telepathique, Piper Park, and All The Glory are British-trained. The trends say look to Ireland first.
- Age: Every winner so far has been aged seven or eight. Horses aged nine or older are 0-11 in this race. Dinoblue is nine this year – the one trend working directly against the favourite. Panic Attack is ten – also outside the profile.
- Won Last Time Out: All five previous winners won on their most recent start. Dinoblue, Spindleberry, and July Flower all won last time out. Panic Attack also won last time out.
- Official Rating: Four of the five winners were rated 151 or above. Only Dinoblue (RPR 175) and Spindleberry (RPR 167) sit comfortably above that threshold in the 2026 field.
- Prep Race: All five winners had either won over 2m4f or placed in this race previously. Dinoblue is the defending champion. Spindleberry fits the trip profile. Panic Attack has won at Cheltenham and over this type of distance.
- Mullins Dominance: Willie Mullins has won three of the five renewals and placed in three more. He saddles both Dinoblue and Spindleberry in 2026.
- Market: No previous winner returned an SP bigger than 3/1. Dinoblue won last year as 6/4 favourite – the first favourite to oblige. The market has called this race correctly in recent years and the top two in the betting deserve the most respect.
Apply those filters and the trends shortlist for 2026 reads: Dinoblue, Spindleberry, July Flower. The age caveat around Dinoblue is real – but so is her dominance of this division.
Runner-by-Runner
Mares’ Chase Runner-by-Runner Analysis
Dinoblue
Dinoblue – 2/1 | Trainer: W.P. Mullins | Jockey: Mark Walsh | Form: 11-1211 | Tip
The defending champion. Dinoblue won this race last year by nearly nine lengths – a performance of total dominance that announced her as the standout mares' chaser in training. Her RPR of 175 is the highest in the field by a significant margin and her form this season has been characteristically clinical: comprehensive Grade 3 and Listed wins that show her ability is not waning.
She is two from two at Cheltenham over fences, Mark Walsh has the ride, and Willie Mullins – who has won three of the five renewals of this race – knows exactly what it takes to prepare a mare for Friday afternoon. The Racing Post and the BOYLE Sports team are both firmly in her corner.
The one stat working against her is the age trend. No nine-year-old has ever won the Mares' Chase. All five previous winners were aged seven or eight. That is a genuine historical concern and punters should have it front of mind. However, trends built on five renewals carry limited weight against a mare of this quality – and Dinoblue is not just any nine-year-old. She is the reigning champion, the highest-rated mare in the race, and the dominant force in this division.
The concern: Nine years old – the one trend working against her. Panic Attack is the most serious challenger she has faced in this race and is five years younger.
Verdict: Our tip. Everything points here except the age stat – and she is exceptional enough to overcome it.
Panic Attack
Panic Attack – 5/2 | Trainer: Dan Skelton | Jockey: Harry Skelton | Form: 312-111
The most compelling argument against Dinoblue in the race. Panic Attack has been in the form of her life this season – winning four of her last five starts, including two of Cheltenham's most competitive handicap chases and a Listed race at Newbury in January where she jumped immaculately. The Skelton operation is a formidable partnership and Harry Skelton's Festival record speaks for itself.
She holds an entry in the Grand National and connections believe she is still progressing at ten years old. Her Cheltenham wins earlier this season are directly relevant course form and she arrives rested and reported to be pleasing her trainer in the build-up. The Racing Post noted she could prove the chief danger if any rain arrives to test stamina.
However, the trends are stacked against her. She is British-trained in a race where all five winners have been Irish. She is ten years old in a race where no nine-year-old has ever won, let alone a ten-year-old. She has not faced Dinoblue before and the quality gap between a Listed winner and a nine-length Mares' Chase champion is significant.
The concern: British-trained and ten years old – fails the two most consistent trends in the race. She is the best mare Dinoblue has faced but whether she is good enough is a genuine unknown.
Verdict: The dangers case is real but the trends work heavily against her.
Spindleberry
Spindleberry – 5/1 | Trainer: W.P. Mullins | Jockey: Paul Townend | Form: 111-11P
The stablemate with the stronger trends profile than Dinoblue. Spindleberry was 5-5 over fences before pulling up in the Irish Gold Cup last time – a run connections are keen to draw a line through, as she was reportedly found to be wrong after the race and had previously been in outstanding form. She is eight years old, Irish-trained, rated 167, and has won over this trip.
Paul Townend – who rode both of Lossiemouth's Mares' Hurdle wins – takes the ride, and Mullins will know exactly which of his two mares arrives in better shape on the day. The pulled-up run is the obvious question mark, but if that was a one-off and she returns to the form that made her 5-5 over fences, she is a serious player.
The concern: Pulled up last time in the Irish Gold Cup – needs to prove that was a genuine blip rather than a sign something is amiss. If she is not 100 percent, she is a significant risk at 5/1.
Verdict: Strong trends profile but the pulled-up run demands caution.
Only By Night
Only By Night – 7/1 | Trainer: Gavin Cromwell | Jockey: Keith Donoghue | Form: 112-215
Gavin Cromwell's trainer won this race in 2024 with Limerick Lace – with Keith Donoghue in the saddle. The same combination returns in 2026 with Only By Night, who has been consistent without quite hitting the heights this season. Her form figures of 112-215 show a mare who is placing regularly at good level without winning as often as the top two.
The trainer-jockey combination that won this race two years ago is a live angle and Keith Donoghue clearly knows the race well. However, Only By Night's RPR of 160 puts her some way below Dinoblue and Spindleberry on the figures.
The concern: RPR of 160 is a significant step below the top two. Has been consistent but her form this season does not suggest she can match the very best in this field.
Verdict: Interesting claims given the trainer-jockey combination but not ahead of our selection.
Diva Luna
Diva Luna – 8/1 | Trainer: Ben Pauling | Jockey: Ben Jones | Form: 1237-11
The most interesting British-trained runner in the field. Diva Luna has impressed on both chase starts this season, winning in good style, and the Racing Post flagged her as a horse who may have plenty more left in the tank. Ben Pauling is a trainer who places his horses with care and Diva Luna arrives with an improving profile.
The problem is the trends. All five previous winners have been Irish-trained. Diva Luna is British. The best a British mare has managed in this race is second – and that required a significant performance. Her RPR of 160 is also below the 151+ bracket that has defined most winners historically.
The concern: British-trained in a race with a 5-0 record for Irish yards. Her form, while improving, has not been tested at the level of the top two.
Verdict: Fascinating place pro
spects but the Irish dominance trend is too strong to ignore. Watch for next season.
July Flower
July Flower – 10/1 | Trainer: Henry De Bromhead | Jockey: Darragh O'Keeffe | Form: 155-113 | Each-Way
The trends horse at a price. July Flower fits the historical profile of a Mares' Chase winner more cleanly than almost anything else in the field — Irish-trained, seven years old, won last time out, ran within 61 days, and has proven form over this trip. Henry De Bromhead is a trainer with an outstanding Festival record and Darragh O'Keeffe has ridden her to her last two wins.
She won a Grade 2 at Doncaster last time and her form figures of 155-113 show a mare who has been improving steadily. She sits on the official trends shortlist and at 10/1 with place terms of 1/4 odds two places, the each-way proposition is the most attractive in the race for a punter looking beyond the top two.
The concern: Her RPR of 155 puts her below the 151+ bracket on paper but she has been improving. She needs to find another step forward to trouble the top two.
Verdict: Our each-way selection. Fits the trends profile, improving mare, and the 10/1 price is fair.
Telepathique
Telepathique – 33/1 | Trainer: Lucy Wadham | Jockey: Tom Cannon | Form: 211-242
A British-trained mare who has been placed consistently in good mares' chases this season without winning. Her RPR of 163 is higher than several above her in the market, which is intriguing, but she is British-trained in a race dominated by Irish yards and has not won since last season.
The concern: British-trained with a winless season to date. The RPR flatters her given the trend and the quality of the top Irish mares in this field.
Verdict: Others preferred.
Piper Park
Piper Park – 100/1 | Trainer: Tom Lacey | Jockey: Stan Sheppard | Form: 13/6-2
Limited chase form and a very big jump in class for Grade 2 company at the Cheltenham Festival. Her RPR of 145 is the second lowest in the field and she has not shown anything close to the level required here.
Verdict: Very hard to make a case at any price. Others vastly preferred.
All The Glory
All The Glory – 125/1 | Trainer: Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill | Jockey: Jonjo O'Neill Jr | Form: 0-26334
Form figures of 0-26334 tell their own story. All The Glory has been consistently outclassed in mares' chases this season and would need a performance far beyond anything she has shown to feature in the shake-up here.
Verdict: No case to be made at the odds. Others preferred.
Mares' Chase Tips
Mares' Chase Tips – Cheltenham Festival 2026
The one stat against Dinoblue is real. No nine-year-old has ever won the Mares' Chase. All five previous winners were aged seven or eight. That is a trend punters cannot simply dismiss.
But here is the counterargument: the Mares' Chase has only been run five times. Trends built on five data points carry far less weight than trends built on twenty. And Dinoblue is not a marginal favourite trying to overcome a difficult stat – she is the reigning champion, the highest-rated mare in the field, and a horse whose entire career profile screams class. Her RPR of 175 dwarfs anything else in the race. She won last year by nine lengths. She has been impeccable this season.
Tip: Dinoblue (2/1)
Everything points here except the age trend – and she is exceptional enough to rewrite that particular page of the history books. Back her with the Money Back free bet offer as your safety net.
Each-Way: July Flower (10/1)
The trends horse at a price. Irish-trained, seven years old, won last time out, improving profile under Henry De Bromhead. She fits the historical winner profile more cleanly than almost anything else in the field and at 10/1 the each-way proposition is attractive. If Dinoblue's age proves her undoing and the race opens up, July Flower is well-placed to take advantage.
Betting Offers
BOYLE Sports Betting Offers for the Mares' Chase
With nine runners declared, the race is unlikely to qualify for the Extra Places offer. The headline offers for this race are:
Money Back if 2nd to SP Favourite: If your selection finishes second to the SP favourite, BOYLE Sports will refund your stake as a free bet. This applies to win singles and win part of each-way singles (outright) only. Full T&Cs apply.
With Dinoblue likely to go off as SP favourite, this offer is most relevant if backing one of her rivals – finish second to her and your stake comes back as a free bet to reinvest on the rest of the card.
Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG): Take an early price and if the SP is bigger on the day, you get paid at the bigger number. Always take a morning price with BOG in a race where the market can shift in the hours before racing.
Mares' Chase History
What is the Mares' Chase?
The Mares' Chase – registered as the Liberthine Mares' Chase – is a Grade 2 race run over 2 miles 4½ furlongs at the Cheltenham Festival on Gold Cup Day. It is restricted to mares who have completed their novice season over fences and was introduced in 2021, replacing the Centenary Novices' Handicap Chase.
The race was created to give the best mares' chasers a dedicated target at the Festival and it has quickly established itself as one of the most compelling contests on the Gold Cup Day card. With nine runners declared in 2026, the race carries place terms of 1/4 odds for the first two places.
Race History & Mullins Dominance
Despite only five renewals, the Mares' Chase has already established a clear identity: Irish-trained mares aged seven or eight, trained at the top level, and prepared through the season's best mares' chase races.
Willie Mullins has been the dominant trainer with three wins from five renewals – Colreevy (2021), Elimay (2022), and Dinoblue (2025). Impervious (2023) and Limerick Lace (2024) broke the Mullins stranglehold, with Gavin Cromwell's Limerick Lace – ridden by Keith Donoghue, who returns in 2026 with Only By Night – providing the most recent upset.
The race has a straightforward profile: back the best Irish-trained mare in peak form at a sensible price. Dinoblue won last year in a manner that suggested she could dominate this race for years to come. The only question for 2026 is whether turning nine has blunted her edge – or whether she is simply too good for the opposition she faces.
Bet on Cheltenham Festival Odds at BOYLE Sports
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