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. 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.

Source: The Guardian December 20, 2017 15:00 UTC