Mares' Hurdle Entries 2026 - Lossiemouth's Hat-Trick Bid Is On As 25 Entered For Mares' Only Grade 1

A Mares’ Hurdle hat-trick remains on the cards for Lossiemouth, as Willie Mullins’ grey tops a list of 25 entries for the mares’ only Grade 1, moved this year to Thursday 12 March 2026. The contest will now sit alongside the Stayers’ Hurdle and Ryanair Chase on a packed third day of action at the Cheltenham Festival.

Lossiemouth won the Mares’ Hurdle in supreme style for the first time in 2024, but there was much consternation about Willie Mullins switching her to the same race in 2025 when the Champion Hurdle had also been an option. She duly hacked up for back-to-back successes in the race, though Tuesday’s showpiece event is once again on her radar as well as the Mares’ Hurdle this time around.

Conversely, Wodhooh is almost certain to head to this contest for Gordon Elliott. The six-year-old has lost just once in her career so far, when Lossiemouth defeated her in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle last season, but Elliott’s tough mare is putting together an impressive CV and would no doubt be popular with punters, having won over course and distance in the Martin Pipe 12 months ago.

Both Elliott and Mullins have stablemates who can deputise or provide ample backup in the race. Brighterdaysahead was second to Lossiemouth in the December Hurdle at Leopardstown, a race she had won the previous season, but was making her return that day and has plentiful ability. Jade De Grugy’s chasing career is yet to take off this season, but the multiple Grade 1-winning hurdler could easily revert to the smaller obstacles against her own sex.

Mullins has also entered Kargese, last year’s County Hurdle heroine, while other Irish raiders could include Paul Nolan’s consistent Feet Of A Dancer and Jessica Harrington’s former Grade 2 winner Jetara.

British hopes may be pinned to defending Champion Hurdler Golden Ace has been given this option as well as the race she won so dramatically in 2025, while the Dan Skelton trio of Kateira, Let It Rain and Take No Chance are further noteworthy Mares’ Hurdle entries for the home side.

2026 Mares’ Hurdle Entries