Low entries for Mares' Chase raises questions over move to ditch novice handicap

The case for supporting a robust mares' programme in the jumps calendar is undoubtedly a worthy one, but the jury remains very much out as to whether ditching the Cheltenham Festival's novice handicap chase in favour of the Mares' Chase was the right call.

It has to be said that these are still early days for the Paddy Power-backed Grade 2, which was run for the first time last year.

However, concerns were voiced when the race was first launched that there are simply not enough high-class chasing mares in training to support such a race and, to a certain extent, that fear looks to be materialising.