Mares’ Chase Tips & 2024 Betting Preview

Known in 2022 as the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase, this Cheltenham Festival contest is in just its second year after the now-retired Colreevy won the inaugural running last year.

Given the first five mares home in 2021 came from Ireland, it is no surprise that our Mares’ Chase tips shortlist is dominated by Irish-trained runners. Check out the full betting preview below before placing your bets at the best horse racing betting sites.

Mares’ Chase Tips

• Back Elimay to win - 5/2 with 888sport

Mares’ Chase Runners in Focus

Here's an in-depth look at the contenders for the 2022 Mares' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

2022 Mares' Chase Tip: Elimay

Elimay is the obvious starting point for the Mares’ Chase as she was only beaten half-a-length by stablemate Colreevy in 2021, having been sent off a 6/5 favourite.

Willie Mullins’ mare warmed up for last year’s race by winning a Listed mares’ chase at Naas and her preparation this time around has gone just as swimmingly.

Now eight years old, Elimay never came out of a canter to win the same Naas contest by five lengths and Mullins appears to have this talented mare primed to make another bold bid.

She looks very much the one to beat, which is why she tops our Mares’ Chase tips shortlist.

Concertista a Big Threat

Of the four Willie Mullins entries, Concertista looks the one that could give Elimay most to think about.

The runaway 2020 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle winner has transitioned smoothly to the larger obstacles, winning two weak Grade 2 events in December.

She let favourite backers down when she went off as the favourite in 2021 Mares’ Hurdle betting. However, she was only beaten by a head and she ran right up to her best on the numbers.

There is no doubt that she could find the improvement required in her chase form to bustle up Elimay - although her best form has come on soft ground.

Read More: Get top Cheltenham Offers for the 2022 Festival

Ida No Slouch If She Keeps Straight

Mount Ida actually beat Elimay when the pair met at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day but that probably wouldn’t have been the case had Wille Mulins’ mare not made at least one quite serious jumping error on the way round.

The major issue with Mount Ida is her tendency to jump right, which she again showed at Fairyhouse. That trait didn’t prevent her running away with the 2021 Kim Muir Chase but none of her rivals that day were rated above 142 so the much classier Elimay, for one, will provide much stiffer opposition.

That said, Mount Ida is one of the higher-rated Mares’ Chase tips contenders so, if she can keep her jumping in check, she could go well.

Zambella Could Be a Threat

Zambella was sent off an unlikely 28/1 with the best betting sites in the 2021 Mares’ Chase but she was still going okay in fifth when falling three out. She has put that fall behind her, winning three races this season, and she saw off a couple of useful rivals in quite emphatic style at Uttoxeter in February. She is one for the more speculative punters.

Mares’ Chase Odds

• Odds correct as of 18/03/2022 - For full latest odds head over to 888sport

Mares’ Chase Verdict

The first five mares home in the inaugural running of this race were trained in Ireland and it would be no surprise if Irish runners dominated once again, even though 2021 winner Colreevy has been retired.

It feels prudent to stick with the form of last year’s race, especially as ELIMAY looked on such good terms with herself at Naas.

Willie Mullins has mapped her whole season out with this race in mind so she heads to Prestbury Park as the one they all have to beat and that makes her our number one Mares’ Chase tips selection, at 5/2 with 888sport.

Stablemate Concertista looks a big threat as well.