Gavin Cromwell introduced the very useful mare Sixandahalf to the jumps scene at Fairyhouse on Saturday and I was very taken with the way she travelled and immediately booked her place in the Mares Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham.
She beat a very highly touted Willie Mullins debutant, in Kimi De Mai who went off odds on by 15L+. Although the favourite ran to free Sixandahalf was able to win unchallenged.
Although not bred for the flat, she was an impressive winner of a Cork maiden, before running a great race in the Irish Ceserawitch behind The Euphrates. She was a non runner in the English version having been well fancied.
Eventually, she will get further but the 2m on the new course at Cheltenham in what will be a fast ran race will require speed and stamina and she has both in abundance, plus of course a great attitude and excellent jumping technique. After the race Gavin Cromwell confirmed she will go for the Mares Novice probably without another run.
Going through those currently at the head of the market, there are question marks against most of them. Maughreen heads it at 4/1 but she has not appeared on the track for a year and has yet to jump a hurdle in public.
The Big Westerner second best in refuses to settle and needs further than this 2M and the main danger is possibly the Paul Nicholls mare Jubilee Alpha , but i think Sixandahalf is a class act that will take a lot of beating
Mares Novice Hurdle Thursday Cheltenham Festival
Sixandahalf 1pt ew 8/1 – 1,2,3 places NRMB William Hill
Chrysalis Consortium 
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