The £25,000 Listed mares’ novice chase at Newbury is an interesting puzzle, not least because Ms Parfois, the 2-1 favourite, returns to action just five days after winning a handicap at Cheltenham’s December meeting.
If she runs up to that form, or within a pound or two at least, this valuable prize is there for the taking. There are few easy races at Cheltenham, however, and if Ms Parfois does turn out to need a little longer to recover from her success last Friday, there will surely be one to beat her in today’s field.
Six opponents line up against her, including four at single-figure prices, and Happy Diva (2.05), who was in front of Ms Parfois when the favourite made her chasing debut at Uttoxeter in November, could be the one to back. Kerry Lee’s mare started the year with a win over hurdles on 6 January but has since developed an unfortunate habit of finishing second since then, occupying the runner-up spot in four of her six subsequent starts. There is nothing ungenuine about her, though, and the pick of her hurdles form – including a close second at Ayr off 133 – gives her an obvious chance at around 4-1.
Cosmos Des Obeaux (1.30) and Lake Field (2.40) should also go well at fair odds on the same card, while Nicolas Chauvin (1.20) is reunited with Richard Johnson at Ludlow and is still fairly weighted on the form of his win at Wetherby earlier in the season.
On the day’s two Flat cards, Lacan (6.10) is on an excellent mark based on his performances around this time last year and could prove to be the bet of the day after an abrupt return to winning form last time out, while Lost The Moon (2.55) has been dropping steadily in the weights and should go well at Lingfield this afternoon.
Lingfield Park
11.40 Culpability, 12.10 Sweet Charity, 12.40 Perfection, 1.10 Drumochter, 1.45 Motown Mick, 2.20 Mercers, 2.55 Lost The Moon, 3.25 Deebaj
Ludlow
12.20 Gortroe Joe, 12.50 Bach De Clermont, 1.20 Nicolas Chauvin, 1.55 Chilli Filli, 2.30 Relentless Dreamer, 3.05 Cloonacool, 3.35 Higgs
Newbury
12.30 Doctor Bartolo, 1.00 Brianstorm, 1.30 Cosmos Des Obeaux, 2.05 Happy Diva
2.40 Lake Field (nb), 3.15 Melrose Boy, 3.45 Aweeminit
Kempton Park
4.10 Count Otto, 4.40 Royal Residence, 5.10 Glencadam Master, 5.40 Native Appeal, 6.10 Lacan (nap), 6.40 Look Surprised, 7.10 Courier, 7.40 Ding Ding
