THERE has to be slight irony in the fact that one of the greatest mares to race over obstacles, Dawn Run, is commemorated by a race for mares only at the Festival. The race promotes a current trend that see mare more likely to race against their own sex. We will see even fewer mares take part in the Champion Hurdle or Gold Cup?

The Grade 2 Trull House Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, added to Cheltenham’s Thursday in 2016, is intended to lead into the Grade 1 mares’ hurdle the following year but the novice event has come under some criticism for its inclusion, mainly due to the lack of quality in the race. The Festival’s graded races should be attracting and showing off the best in jump racing.

This year’s romp by Laurina (4/7), who was just in a different class to her rivals, did little to advance its credentials. The two previous winners were the Mullins-trained, Rich Ricci owned Limini (8/11) and Let’s Dance (11/8 favourite).

It’s been monopolised by a top trainer with owners who can afford very high-class mares. Two were French-bred and Limini had a flat pedigree. The argument that this race gives more people a chance to win at the Festival has been put to one side.

There is no argument that the establishment of mares’ races has been a very good addition for National Hunt breeders and owners. Mares are also making top prices coming from the pointing scene.

Nothing much progressed from the first running of the novice race. Last year’s was a little better with Asthuria, Le Bague Au Roi and Forge Meadow going on to better things. It has been well supported with fields of 16, 16 and 14 but that in itself shows the lack of quality.

Away from the Festival, there was a decent Grade 2 at Limerick this week, and Cheltenham’s all mares’ day next month is a great innovation. But the Festival does not have to provide a race category for every type of horse. Shattered Love and Relegate and Ms Parfois showed what can be achieved by a good mare. Apple’s Shakira and Stormy Ireland headed the betting for the juvenile championship.

With Apple’s Jade being the one Elliott horse to run below-par, Mullins stepped in to win the Grade 1 OLBG Mares Hurdle again with Benie Des Dieux. Were there no mares’ novice, it would have been interesting to see what Laurina could have done in open novice company or even put into the Mares’ Hurdle.

The Mares’ Hurdle has, over time, proved its merit on the card as a Grade 1 but, equally, its winners would be well able to hold their own against males. We saw what Annie Power could do. We remember the Mysilvs and Voler La Vedettes as well as the winners of those open races.

A cap on ratings for the Mares’ Hurdle was suggested to make it more competitive. Another would be to exclude previous Grade 1 winners, leave it for mares who have yet to win one. If you are good enough, step into open company with the allowance. It would give more mares the chance to win that Grade 1 even if we didn’t have a Quevega sequence anymore.

Even with the 7lb allowance, most trainers are content to take the easier pickings of the mares’ only events.

It may seem churlish picking on the mares’ races but every aspect of the racing should be looked at for the Festival. If new races are added too soon and only a few take advantage of them and the quality declines, it defeats the purpose of the race and that is not necessarily good in the long run.