The entries for the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival have been revealed, with 24 possibles declared — a stronger numerical entry than the previous two renewals combined. Defending champion Dinoblue heads the market at 7/4, with stablemate Spindleberry next at 7/2.
But look past the individual horses and a bigger pattern emerges. JP McManus hasn’t just had success in this race — he’s owned it.
Four From Five
Since the Mares’ Chase was introduced to the Festival card in 2021, McManus has won it four times from five attempts. Elimay (2022), Impervious (2023), Limerick Lace (2024), and Dinoblue (2025) all carried the famous green and gold hoops past the post first. The only year he didn’t win — 2021 — Elimay still finished second behind Colreevy.
That’s a record that borders on absurd. In the two years McManus didn’t provide the winner, his horses still filled the runner-up spot. Across all five renewals, a McManus-owned runner has finished in the first two in every single race.
Dinoblue’s Bid for Back-to-Back
The nine-year-old mare has been imperious this season. Two wins from two starts since a pipe-opener behind Found A Fifty at Navan, including an 11-length demolition at Naas on February 7th where she made all and won eased down at 1/8. Before that, she strolled home by seven lengths at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day.
Her Cheltenham record reads 1-2-2-9 across four visits. That sole blot — a ninth in the 2022 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle when sent off 11/8 favourite — came when she was still learning. Since switching to fences, she’s been a different proposition at Prestbury Park, and arguably should have won the 2024 Mares’ Chase too, only denied by a late error.
Willie Mullins trained three of the five Festival Mares’ Chase winners, and his overall Cheltenham record in chases since 2020 stands at 25 wins from 164 runners — a 15% strike rate that’s remarkable given the quality of opposition.
The Spindleberry Question
The main danger could come from within the Mullins yard. Spindleberry won the WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse last April, beating Grade 1 company over three miles, and followed up with Listed wins at Clonmel and Doncaster this season.
Her Irish Gold Cup audition at Leopardstown didn’t go to plan — she was pulled up — but that was over a trip and against opposition she was never likely to trouble. Drop back to the intermediate trip of the Mares’ Chase and she looks a serious player.
The fact she still holds a Gold Cup entry feels like a negotiating position more than a genuine plan.
Panic Attack’s Grand National Ambitions
Dan Skelton’s Panic Attack, a 6/1 chance, would give the home team representation at the business end, but she’s reportedly pointed towards the Aintree Grand National as her primary target. Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield acknowledged she’d give the Irish “something to think about” but stopping McManus in this race has proven virtually impossible.
The Verdict
McManus’s dominance of the Festival Mares’ Chase is one of those statistics that barely seems real. Four winners from five runnings, with his worst finish a second. Dinoblue is a worthy favourite who has improved with every visit to Cheltenham, and her current form — two facile wins this season — suggests she’ll take plenty of beating.
At 7/4, she’s no value play. But backing against McManus in this race hasn’t worked out well for anyone since 2021.