Mares put down a marker for festival contests with some impressive performances over the Christmas period

With the jumps action falling foul of the weather on Saturday, it gives further opportunity to reflect on the racing over the festive period and the mares' divisions in particular. 

Examining two of these races at the Cheltenham Festival, the Mares' Chase had a bit of a shake-up over Christmas, with the inconsistent Allegorie De Vassy putting up a performance in line with her best pieces of form when winning a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day, achieving a Racing Post Rating of 154. 

Rich Ricci's eight-year-old thrashed Limerick Lace by 25 lengths last week, which is the second time this season that last year’s Mares' Chase winner has finished well beaten. However, she would surely be a threat once more if she were to go for the race again in March.