Gala Marceau Leads the Charge in Kenny Alexander's Mares' Hurdle Team

Telmesomethinggirl is also added to the owner's lineup for the Cheltenham Race.

Owner Kenny Alexander is gearing up for a formidable challenge in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle, as both Gala Marceau and Telmesomethinggirl aim to follow in the footsteps of Honeysuckle’s illustrious victories at the Cheltenham Festival.

Trained by Willie Mullins, Gala Marceau finds herself trailing stablemates Lossiemouth and Ashroe Diamond in the ante-post betting for the prestigious Grade One event. A runner-up in the Triumph Hurdle at Prestbury Park a year ago, she recently clinched third place in her seasonal return at Doncaster. Despite this, she boasts a significant triumph over two and a half miles in Auteuil’s Prix Alain du Breil last May. Connections are optimistic that a return to a longer distance will bring out her best performance following her recent outing at Town Moor.

Peter Molony, racing manager for Alexander, expressed satisfaction with Gala Marceau’s performance, noting that jockey Danny Mullins believed she could have secured second place had she not faltered towards the end. The team is hopeful that her proven stamina over longer distances will be a winning factor in the upcoming race.

Meanwhile, Telmesomethinggirl, currently at odds of 25-1, has caught the attention of Molony following positive updates from trainer Henry de Bromhead after her second-place finish at Naas last month. The nine-year-old, a Cheltenham Festival victor in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle in 2021, faced misfortune in the subsequent year’s Mares’ Hurdle when brought down two hurdles from the finish line. After a challenging year navigating larger obstacles, she has returned to her preferred discipline.

Molony expressed delight at Telmesomethinggirl's performance at Naas, highlighting the mare's improvement since her previous run at Leopardstown. He acknowledged the difficulties faced in keeping her fit as she has aged, particularly during her stint tackling fences. The team is optimistic about the mare's abilities and potential, with the belief that if she performs at her peak, she will present stiff competition to her rivals.

Reflecting on Telmesomethinggirl's form and training, Molony shared his confidence in the mare's resurgence and praised her racing prowess when at her best. With jockey Rachael Blackmore echoing positive sentiments about her capabilities, Telmesomethinggirl is poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming race, offering an enticing each-way opportunity for punters.