'Declan Queally Has A Serious Mare' - Down Royal Grade 3 Mares Novice Hurdle Tips Before the Down Royal Champion Chase on Saturday, we have the Grade 3 Mares Novice Hurdle that takes place on Friday over 2m1f, and has been won by some very good mares in the past. A field of nine have been declared and our expert has picked out a pair to follow. Down Royal Mares Novice Hurdle Tips Selection: Carrigmoornaspruce Next Best: Korinthia Coral Betting Offer Does Elliot Have A New Brighterdaysahead? Gordon Elliott always has to be respected at this meeting, having won this race back in 2023 with Brighterdaysahead, who has since gone on to capture multiple Grade 1s. This time, he’s represented by Getaway Beo and Blue Waters, both of whom have big boots to fill if they are to follow in her footsteps. Blue Waters appears to be the stable’s number one hope, with Jack Kennedy taking the ride. The four-year-old filly has won two of her four starts, including a good success at Ballinrobe on her second outing. She failed to follow up next time when sent off favourite, finishing second in a race that lacked depth. She bounced back to form with a comfortable success at Listowel last time, winning by more than eight lengths. That was visually impressive, though the depth of the contest looks questionable, and she’ll need to take another step forward to land this. Stablemate Getaway Beo comes into this with the least experience in the field. She made a winning debut at Tipperary but will need to jump better in this stronger company. Jack Kennedy was aboard that day, and the fact he now rides Blue Waters is a negative for her chances. Carrigmoornaspruce Can Confirm Her Promise Declan Queally looks to have a serious mare on his hands in Carrigmoornaspruce, who has always looked a touch above average. She was progressive last season in bumpers, winning her first two starts before finishing third to Cheltenham Festival Bumper winner Bambino Fever in the Grade 2 at Leopardstown in February. That came on the softest ground she had encountered, and she didn’t appear entirely comfortable on it. She followed that with a second in Listed company at Fairyhouse before producing her best effort to date at the Punchestown Festival, when running out a comfortable winner of a Grade 3 bumper. That performance marked her out as one to follow when sent hurdling this season. The five-year-old didn’t disappoint on her hurdling debut at Listowel last month, where she was sent off odds-on favourite. She jumped slickly and travelled powerfully throughout, making a decisive move halfway and quickening clear again when challenged. She looks to have a serious engine. The form has since been boosted, with both the second and third winning next time, giving the form some substance. She could easily take this step up in her stride before heading for the Mares’ Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham. Willie Mullins, as always, commands respect and fields two here in Cameletta Vega and Korinthia. The trainer hasn’t won this since 2018, and Cameletta Vega, though well bred, hasn’t quite lived up to her lofty pedigree yet and has plenty to find. That leaves Korinthia, the mount of Paul Townend, as his more likely contender. She has won three of her four starts, her only defeat coming at the hands of Seo Linn in a Cheltenham bumper last November. She was beaten just over three lengths that day by a mare who Carrigmoornaspruce subsequently defeated by more than four, suggesting the Queally mare holds the stronger form claims.
