The OLBG Mares series arrives at Doncaster for the fifth leg of a seven-race series which culminates in the grade one race at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Last season at Town Moor we had a thrilling race with Willie Mullins' Vroum Vroum Mag being made to work all the way to the line by a tenacious run from Midnight Jazz. She went on to finish second in the Cheltenham race so ante-post clues for the Cheltenham Festival can be expected from the race. This year a field of eleven are entered and it looks like we have another quality renewal in store.
The grade two event is run over two miles and is worth £28,000 to the winner. The race has had some very fine winners in recent years including the likes of Champion Hurdle winner Annie Power. We have a field of eleven entered for the race on Saturday, Stuart Edmund's Maria’s Benefit is the top-rated horse in the race and arrives off the back of four wins in a row, if she can run to her best she will prove the most likely winner and is the bookies favourite. Midnight Jazz represents a shrewd trainer who loves to run his Mares in OLBG sponsored races, she is a course winner who came so close to causing a massive shock in the race last season finishing a close second to Vroum Vroum Mag. Verdana Blue represents champion trainer Nicky Henderson, the horse is by Getaway a sire making quite the splash in National Hunt circles and her price of 20/1 for the grade one OLBG mares race at the festival could be a distant memory if she wins it on Saturday.
Dusky Legend missed our race last weekend at Ascot, the two-mile trip looks much more suitable for Alan Kings eight year old. Dame Rose has won over course and distance she was last seen pulling up in the Challow hurdle, back against her own sex today Richard Hobson’s mare is a very interesting addition to the race, she moves into open company for the first time. Listed bumper winner Irish Roe will be seeking a third win in a row at Doncaster having won twice at the track in December for trainer Peter Atkinson. Philip Kirby took Lady Buttons to Ireland over Christmas to face Let’s Dance, her second to La Bague Au Roi at Wetherby earlier in the season would give her a great chance of making the frame in this listed contest. Brillare Momento has the option to run here or at Cheltenham on Saturday. The seven-year-old is one of the more unexposed runners entered and it would be noteworthy if Martin Keighley’s ran her here over his local track. The Nipper runs for a yard who have enjoyed plenty of success this season in OLBG Mares races with stable mate La Bague Au Roi. The Nipper would not be in the same league as her but should the ground change to the softer side she would have place claims. Smart Talk was successful in this event two years ago winning despite a mistake at a key time she stayed on well to beat Lily Waugh. Whilst this race will be her first since running at the Cheltenham Festival nearly 700 days ago it would be foolish to discount Brian Ellison’s runner.
The final horse to complete the line up is in-form Olly Murphy’s Undefined Beauty, she would have plenty to find on ratings but it is great to see a young trainer with a big future already looking to have runners in listed races. You can see who the OLBG tipsters are backing for the race plus tips for racing each day here https://www.olbg.com/betting-tips/Horse_Racing/2
Brian Ellison spoke to OLBG regarding his runner Smart Talk: “she has been out for a couple of years but she has done plenty of work now, she is a grand and very enthusiastic mare,” he said. When pressed about a possible return to the Cheltenham Festival in the OLBG Mares grade one race he added: “we will see how she runs and comes out of Doncaster but it is a possibility, it is great OLBG sponsor these mares events.”
Racing Product Manager Sam Boswell ramped up excitement around the OLBG Mares Race: “we have enjoyed sponsoring the OLBG Mares series for a number of years now and we love to visit Doncaster on route to the OLBG Mares grade one race at the Cheltenham Festival. We have seen some real superstars brought to Doncaster thanks to our sponsorship such as Annie Power and Vroum Vroum Mag," he added.
"The course is a fantastic host to our tipsters and we always enjoy our big day at the track.” OLBG is a community and guide to help you with your betting. We offer prize money to the best tipsters on a range of sports, we also share their tips on our website and on the free OLBG app. We asked one OLBG tipster to sum up what the site means to them. “It offers me the chance to give my views on sporting events in order to win cash and help others to beat the bookies. OLBG has also taken me on some great days out such as their sponsored race meetings including the Cheltenham Festival.” You can see more Cheltenham related content including the official preview night OLBG sponsor on their Cheltenham mini site https://cheltenham.olbg.com/
Rebecca Burton from Doncaster Racecourse gave this comment on OLBG association with Doncaster: “we’re delighted to welcome OLBG back to Doncaster Racecourse as continued sponsors of the road to Cheltenham series.”
