Dinoblue on The Race Lab

Dinoblue Heads Strong Mares' Chase Entry — But It's McManus Who Really Owns This Race

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000

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.

Dinoblue and the McManus Monopoly: Why the Mares' Chase Is His Race to Lose

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 21:00:00 +0000

There are monopolies in racing, and then there’s JP McManus in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase.

Since the race was introduced to the Cheltenham Festival in 2021, McManus has owned four of the five winners. That’s not a trend. That’s ownership of the race in all but name.

Impervious, Elimay, Limerick Lace, and Dinoblue — all carried the famous green and gold hoops past the post first. The only year McManus missed out was the inaugural running, when Colreevy won for the Flynns. Even then, Elimay finished second for him.

Ireland's Cheltenham Charge: The Numbers Behind the Green Tide

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Less than four weeks from the first race at Prestbury Park, the battle lines are being drawn. The Guardian’s Greg Wood fired the latest salvo this morning, warning British yards that Ireland’s battalions are “ready to roll” — and the numbers back him up completely.

Fewer Runners, More Winners

Over the last three Cheltenham Festivals (2023–2025), Irish-trained runners have been outnumbered roughly two-to-one. They’ve turned up with 414 runners across those three meetings compared to 920 from British yards. Yet their win tallies have been remarkably close: 33 Irish winners to 50 British.