2016 - 2m 1f on the New Course. Limini capped a good day for Irish trained and short priced treble kings after Thistlecrack and Vautour. An IRE bred five year old, carrying 11 st 7lb trained by Willie Mullins and steered by Ruby Walsh. 8/11 fav. Not out since strolling the G3 Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle over 2m2f at Fairyhouse 46 days before by 11 lengths.

 

2017 - Lets Dance made it a great day for Ruby and Willie with another short priced treble after Yorkhill and Un De Sceaux. A nicer 4 timer if you had thrown in Nichols Canyon. FRE Bred five year old, carrying 11st 7lb, the 11/8 fav. Not out since strolling the Nathaniel Lacy G2 Novice Hurdle over 2m4f at Leopardstown 46 days ago by 6 lengths.

 

2018 - Laurina made it a Closutton treble in this race. FRE Bred 5 yr old, carrying 11st 7lb steered by P Townend (Ruby injured the day before). 4/7 fav. Not out since strolling the G3 Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle over 2m 2f at Fairyhouse 47 days ago by 11 lengths.

 

2019 - Any fool would have realised way to go here was seven £5 singles on all of Willie's runners. (No, I didn't, don't be silly). Eglantine Du Seuil (FR), a fine ride by Noel Fehily got up from Concertista and Danny Mullins. Both 5 yr olds carried 11-2. Noel immediately announced his retirement. It took Danny two years later to get his first festival success on Flooring Porter. He's having a great time now. Unlucky here. SPs? 50/1 beats 66/1. Sometimes Willie in the novices/bumper just gets them here. Even he may not know which one is the one. Winner had previously won a maiden hurdle but hadn't been seen out since 3rd at Listowel in September. G Elliott trained finished 3rd and 4th. That made 4 from 4 for Clusotton. Epatante well beaten at 15/8 fav, PN's Posh Trish also well punted at 3/1. Two BFs unplaced.

 

2020 - World and his aunt all over Willie's Concertista (FR), once ATR's Tony Keenan @RacingTrends tipped her up the Tuesday before. The 2019 second to Eglantine du Seuil. A very decent third last time off 135 in the DRF 2m 2f 59k Mares H'cap Hurdle. 20s to 9/2. Darryl came off the Festival cold list (Lac Fontana 2014 County) with the easiest steering job imaginable. A conservative 12l. His first Festival win for the double green. A Willie 1-2-4, he wins the first five editions.

 

2021 - Not the greatest year for W Mullins novice mares. Even Skyace 4th sold for £600 by Closutton to the Shark beat home all from Closutton. Winner was six yr old Telmesomethinggirl 5/1 for Henry and Rachel on their perfect storm. Another winner from T Keenan ATR at 12s. Won by 5l. Another one, 3rd off 128 in that DRF Mares h'cap behind Heaven Help Us. The first four home were trained by four other Irish trainers. Other to Willie, that is. Only five from 15 English trained, possibly still out there.

 

2022 - WPM saddled six, but Grangee was his best home in 3rd at 13/2. JP's Dinoblue thumped to 11/8f on course, well beat. One for GB with Love Envoi for Harry Fry at 15/2 holding off Nickys 50/1 shot, Ahorsewithnoname. Love Envoi remains unbeaten. Had come from a 2m 4f G2 Mares hurdle at Sandown. Rated 135. IRE Bred. Two BFs unplaced.

 

2023 - Used to be easy this, but WPM hasn't now won any of the last three. Fine front running ride by Gavin Sheehan for Jamie Snowden on You Wear It Well. Pity we couldn't have said similar about AP Heskin for Henry de Bromhead given the circumstances. That mares' G2 2m 4f at Sandown becoming interesting. Luccia in 4th, heavily punted 6/4 N Henderson fav.

 

 

Only Tintangle 3rd 2019 and Mighty Blue 2021 have placed wearing any sort of headgear in any of the eight renewals. Three unplaced last year. 11 BFs last time ran over the last four years, best Rayna's World 100/1 in third 2020. Four of Willie's five winners were FRE bred.

 

Five of the eight winners won a graded race last time out. Both I Wear It Well and Love Envoi won the G2 2m 4f Jane Seymour Mares Novice at Sandown.

 

W Mullins - Has trained five of the eight winners. The first three were simple. Limini, Let's Dance and Laurina. All started with the letter L and all short priced favorites. BHA ratings of 145, 147 and 144 respectively. Eglantine Du Seuil was next. But at 50/1. In 2019 he ran 7 mares, My Sister Sarah at 13/2 unpl only one shorter than 20/1. Had a 1-2-6. Concertista returns in 2020. A Closutton 1-2-4-5 from four runners. Only Grangee third place in the last three from a total of 14 runners.

 

The last three non Willie winners rated 135 twice and 136.

 

H de Bromhead - Magical Zoe an unlucky 2nd last year, Telmesomethinggirl 5/1 winner, Magic Daze 22/1 second 2021 Birdie Or Bust

 

N Henderson - 0 from 13 but has had a 50/1 second and Luccia fav and fourth last year.

 

Gordon Elliott has had placed horses, Tingtangle, Barra and Halka de Tabert placed..

 

The last two Irish trained winners finished 3rd in the DRF Mares h'cap. Feet Of A Dancer. The first three short priced winners had their previous run in the last week of January, two winning the G3 Mares Novice at Fairyhouse. Jade De Grugy. Eglantine du Seuil last seen when 3rd at Listowel in October.

 

There have been placed horses in this at 80/1, 66/1, 50/1 twice, 40/1, 100/1 and 22/1. You Wear It Well 16s and Eglantine du Seuil 50s big priced winners. Last five favs unplaced at 6/4, 11/8, 9/2, 11/4 and 15/8 respectively.

 

Alan King trained Dusky Legend to be placed twice and The Glancing Queen, 5th in 2021.

 

First four winners were five year olds, the last four six yrs of age. First five began their careers in France, last two IRE bred. British Breds 1-28 (You Wear It Well). JP owned are 0-9 including Dinoblue 11/8 fav 2022. Birdie Or Bust