RACING boff Gaurav Chaddah (@Gchaddahjourno) analyses the field for the Mares Hurdle at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival.
Mares Hurdle | Tuesday 10th March 2020, 16:10 | ITV1
The Mares Hurdle is the most anticipated race of the day with the unbeaten Honeysuckle taking on Benie Des Dieux in what looks a match bet on paper. However, I'm not sure it will live up to the hype.
I'm a big fan of Honeysuckle and as the reigning Irish Champion Hurdler she is the one to beat. However, that was only 38 days ago and it was the first time in her career she has had to battle. It also wasn't a vintage renewal beating a former chaser and a horse just out of novice company. She is a high class mare, but she is taking on a freak.
Benie Des Dieux (4/6 Sportingbet) is, in my opinion, another Willie Mullins wonder mare and almost under appreciated. She's a previous winner of the race and should be a dual winner but for her fall at the last in 2019 when cruising.
She then went to France and beat De Bon Coeur, who was 2/5 to beat her. She returned this year turning a decent race into a precession and I just can't see her getting beat. She's fresher than Honeysuckle, has the course form and more importantly more substantial form than Honeysuckle.
Yes it's an exciting match up, but I fully expect Benie Des Dieux to win this, and win well..
Best Bets
Mares Hurdle – Benie Des Dieux to win (4/6 Sportingbet)
