THE addition of mares’ races to the Cheltenham Festival has been a topic of debate in recent years. The mares’ novice hurdle has been the domain of Willie Mullins since its inception and is perhaps still not yet one of the more interesting of the graded races.

However, you do have to think that this season it’s shaping up to be a rather tasty looking contest, if all the mares that have shown more than average ability already.

Potential contenders we have already seen include Silver Forever, The Glancing Queen and Gypsy Queen from bumpers last year and new recruits from the point-to-points could include the already impressive Minella Melody and the yet to reappear big-priced purchases such as My Whirlwind.

And then there will be whatever comes out of the hats over in Cullentra and down Carlow way. This could be the season it really earns its place at the Festival.

Star jumpers bloom again

THE National Hunt season is just beginning and it seems it might be wise in many cases to draw a line through last season. The faster ground, horses perhaps not getting the grounding in schooling, or many arriving at Cheltenham a bit jarred up from jumping on faster than ideal ground in the spring.

It seems that many who had disappointed last season, and were written off to some degree, are back in top form again – ready to take off from what they did in 2017-’18.

In recent weeks, Black Op, Summerville Boy and Samcro appear to have all rediscovered their top form. Add in the horses who did perform at the top last year and it truly looks a season to savour.