This Grade 1 race named in memory of David Nicholson (1939-2006) who was a distinguished jockey and a trainer involved with National Hunt racing, with many victories recorded at the Cheltenham Festival – 17 as a trainer and 5 as a jockey. The race takes place on the Old Course, over 2 miles and 4 furlongs, with nine hurdles and is open to Mares over four years of age.
This race has been sponsored by OLBG since 2012 and dominated during previous years with Quevega winning six times in succession, with Apple’s Jade taking the trophy in 2017 with a win for Gordon Elliot. This year, the Mares’ Hurdle will take place on Tuesday 13th March at 16.10 GMT, with a prize fund of £120,000.
Rivalry in 2018 is between Vroum Vroum Mag (Willie Mullins) and Apple’s Jade (Gordon Elliot), with a further 27 entrants hoping to be up to the challenge that the nine hurdles provide.
The very first Mares’ Hurdle race took place in 2008, with the contest gaining strength in recent years for mares and fillies over 4 years of age.
