Friday, April 12, 2019 - The April Meeting continues on Thursday, April 18, with a seven-race card exclusively for fillies and mares, the only Jump raceday of its kind in the UK.

Among the highlights is the opening £25,000 Listed Glide Mares' Novices' Hurdle (2.05pm, 22 entries) over an extended two and a half miles, which could feature the 142-rated Posh Trish (Paul Nicholls).

Posh Trish has taken high rank among her own sex this season, landing Listed contests at Newbury and Taunton, though did not run up to her best when eighth in the G2 National Hunt Breeders Supported By Tattersalls Mares' Novices' Hurdle at The Festival™ presented by Magners on March 14.

That race was won by Eglantine Du Seuil and also featured Indefatigable (Paul Webber), who fared best of the British challengers in fifth.

Indefatigable finished second behind Posh Trish at Taunton in December and on her penultimate start was beaten a neck by Lady Buttons in a G2 event at Doncaster, both over an extended two miles.

Trainer Paul Webber said today: "Indefatigable is in good form and came out of The Festival very well.

"She got shuffled back a bit there because she didn't quite meet a couple of hurdles on the right stride, but she stayed on so well.

"She wasn't quite as quick with her jumping in certain parts of the race, which you have to be when you're travelling at that speed. But she finished well up the hill.

"She was flat out at Cheltenham, so we have been keen to step her up in trip and that will be the plan from now on.

"She is in two races on the Thursday and I think we would probably lean towards running in the Listed Glide Mares' Novices' Hurdle."

The entries also feature two unexposed mares from Ireland in Caravation (Philip Dempsey IRE) and Agusta Gold (Mags Mullins IRE).

Having finished third in a Listed bumper at Navan in November, Caravation was just touched off on her first two attempts over hurdles, including behind last year's G1 Weatherbys Champion Bumper scorer Relegate at Naas in December.

The six-year-old, a full-sister to 2009 Irish Grand National hero Niche Market, defeated subsequent winner Great White Shark in a two-mile maiden hurdle at Navan on March 2 before stepping up six furlongs in distance to win a novices' hurdle at the same track on March 18.

Trainer Philip Dempsey reported: "Caravation is a possible runner at Cheltenham next week.

"She has come out of her latest start in good form and if the ground is OK, then it looks a good race to go for.

"Caravation has won her last two starts well and looks to be progressing with every run.

"If we don't go to Cheltenham, she could stay in Ireland and run at Fairyhouse."

Impressive Plumpton scorer The Cull Bank (Alan King) and Papagana (Oliver Sherwood), who captured a three-mile mares' Listed hurdle at Doncaster on March 2, are also engaged.

One of two £40,000 contests on the card is the Junior Jumpers 4-Y-O Fillies' Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (4.25pm, 2m 179y, 13 entries), which holds G3 status for the first time this year.

Havingagoodtime (Henry De Bromhead IRE) is one of three Irish-trained entries and has not raced since finishing fourth behind Band Of Outlaws at Naas in February. The pick of the home challengers appears to be Miranda (Paul Nicholls), who looked a good prospect when winning her first two starts over hurdles at Ludlow and Wincanton.

Cap Soleil (Fergal O'Brien) could have her second outing of the campaign in the £25,000 Catesby Estates Plc Mares' Handicap Hurdle (3.15pm, 2m 4f 56y, 36 entries). A high-class novice last season, Cap Soleil returned over the course and distance in the G1 OLBG Mares' Hurdle at The Festival, finishing seventh behind Roksana.

The longest race on the card is the £20,000 JRL Group Mares' Handicap Chase (3.50pm, 12 entries) over three and a quarter miles.

Rounding off the action is the £15,000 Listed Spreadex Sports Betting Mares' National Hunt Flat Race (5.30pm), which could feature last time out winners Floressa (Nicky Henderson) and Penny Mallow (Venetia Williams).

The £40,000 EBF/TBA Mares' Novices' Handicap Chase (2.40pm, 2m 4f 127y) and the £25,000 TBA Mares' Handicap Chase (4.55pm, 2m 62y) have reopened for entries until 11am tomorrow, April 13.

Going News

The going at Cheltenham is currently Good to Soft. Conditions are expected to remain dry and become warmer.

All action at The April Meeting takes place on the New Course.

The April Meeting 2019

First Day - Wednesday, April 17 - New Course                  

2.05pm CITIPOST Novices' Hurdle 2m 4½f £20,000

2.40pm Cure Parkinson's And Hambo Foundation Silver Trophy Chase (Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) 2m 5f £60,000

3.15pm Kingston Stud Handicap Hurdle 2m 4½f £25,000

3.50pm Arkells Brewery Nicholson Holman Novices' Limited Handicap Chase 3m 1½f £17,500

4.25pm Safran Landing Systems Handicap Hurdle 3m £20,000

5.00pm Weatherite Handicap Chase 3m 2f£25,000

5.30pm Pony Racing Authority Graduates Handicap Hurdle 2m 1f £15,000

Second Day-Thursday, April 18 - New Course          

2.05pm Glide Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Listed) 2m 4½f £25,000

2.40pm European Breeders Fund/TBA Mares' Novices' Handicap Chase Finale (Listed) 2m 5f £40,000

3.15pm Catesby Estates Plc Mares' Handicap Hurdle (Listed) 2m 4½f £25,000

3.50pm JRL Group Mares' Handicap Chase 3m 2f£20,000

4.25pm Junior Jumpers 4-Y-O Fillies' Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m 1f £40,000

4.55pm Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Mares' Handicap Chase 2m £25,000

5.30pm Spreadex Sports Betting Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race 2m 1f £15,000

The April Meeting falls during the Easter Holidays this year and there is plenty to keep the children occupied on Thursday, April 18 when the Tattersalls Sales Arena will be transformed into a Family Fun Zone. Free activities on offer include face painting, walking pet balloons, rosette making and colouring in, as well as the opportunity to ride an equiciser.

There are also 800 free Easter eggs up for grabs, so racegoers should arrive early as they are on a first come, first served basis. Children aged 18 and under are admitted for free when accompanied by a full-paying adult. The children's activities and free Easter eggs are for children in the Club and Tattersalls enclosures.

Cheltenham Racecourse

Cheltenham Racecourse is situated in Prestbury on the northern outskirts of the historic spa town of Cheltenham. The Home of Jump Racing, Cheltenham Racecourse is the venue for the world's pre-eminent Jump meeting. The Festival™ presented by Magners, which happens in March over four days every year, next takes place from Tuesday, March 10, to Friday, March 13, 2019 inclusive and tickets are on sale. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Cotswolds, Cheltenham Racecourse is a stunning natural arena and offers the highest-quality action throughout the Jump season.

More information is available at  www.cheltenham.co.uk  and through Twitter (@CheltenhamRaces), Facebook  www.facebook.com/thehomeofjumpracing  and Instagram (@CheltenhamRaces).

About The Jockey Club

Cheltenham is part of The Jockey Club which stages thrilling sporting occasions including The Randox Health Grand National, The Festival™ presented by Magners and The Investec Derby. Millions of people every year enjoy the special experiences The Jockey Club offers through racing, music, food and entertainment. Governed by Royal Charter, every penny made goes back into British Racing to help the sport thrive. The Jockey Club was founded in 1750 and today is the largest commercial group in Britain's second-biggest spectator sport, operating 15 racecourses nationwide, The National Stud, Jockey Club Estates, Jockey Club Catering, Jockey Club Live and the charity, Racing Welfare. For more information, visit  www.thejockeyclub.co.uk

If you need any information about racing at Cheltenham, please contact: Sophia Dale, Communications Manager - Jockey Club Racecourses South West 01242 537 683  sophia.dale@thejockeyclub.co.uk