Papagana ran the race of her life last time out, so now back against her own sex is a strong fancy to land the spoils in the 3m Grade 2 Warfield Mares’ Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday (13:50).
This Oliver Sherwood trained seven-year-old is a lightly-raced and progressive sort who has won four of her eight starts over the obstacles.
She looked one to keep onside when winning her final start last season at Doncaster, where she raced prominently throughout before staying on strongly and accounting for Danse Idol by 12 lengths in a Listed contest.
That view was confirmed when Papagana registered an impressive six-length success over Culture De Sivola in another Listed affair at Kempton on her return to action in November.
It earned the daughter of Martaline a crack at the Grade 1 Long Walk at this venue. She ran a stormer to finish third of four to The Worlds End on heavy ground.
Long Walk run sets Warfield Mares’ Hurdle Standard
Pagagana made a costly error three from home and then got outpaced approaching the second last, before keeping on again to be beaten just over three lengths.
She split a smart pair in L’Ami Serge and Agrapart, with the former being rated 10lb her superior heading into the race.
Despite the small field, it was a smart performance by Papagana and has earned her an official rating of 146.
That is the highest in the Warfield Mares’ Hurdle line-up and puts her nicely clear of her five rivals.
Papagana is also two from three over the trip and proved in the Long Walk that she handles bottomless ground.
This also represents a return to calmer water, so she looks a worthy market leader at 13/8 with Betfred to resume winning ways.
Bold Plan fancied to follow-up in Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle
Having been very impressive when winning last time out, Bold Plan looks worth siding with at 9/2 with BetVictor to make light of a hike in the weights and follow-up in the 2m 3f Grade 3 Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle (14:25).
This lightly-raced Evan Williams trained five-year-old has had just six starts over hurdles.
He shaped really well on the second of those when a 10-length third of 13 to the now 142-rated Rouge Vif at Southwell.
Bold Plan went on to score next time up at Taunton when keeping on strongly on soft ground to beat subsequent Grade 2 winner Southfield Stone by 1 1/4 lengths.
He was sent off a well-backed 7/1 shot for the valuable Grade 3 Silver Trophy at Chepstow in October on the back of those efforts, but shaped as if badly needing the run in finishing a well-beaten 10th of 16 to Flash The Steel.
However, Bold Plan then showed the benefit of that outing when landing a monster gamble in a competitive 12-runner class 2 handicap at Haydock in fine style.
After being held-up towards the rear, he made stealthy headway three from home.
Bold Plan then went second after the last and stayed on powerfully to win going away by 2 1/2 lengths from Whoshothesherriff. He was value for more than the winning margin.
The runner-up has since come out and done very well to finish fifth of 13 to Not So Sleepy in the Grade 3 Betfair Exchange Trophy at this venue.
It suggests a 10lb rise to a mark of 140 may not be enough to stop the upwardly mobile and unexposed Bold Plan going in again.
Happy Diva can have last laugh in handicap chase
Kerry Lee stable star Happy Diva has taken her form to a new level this season so, despite now having to race off a career-high mark, makes plenty of appeal in the valuable 2m 5f bet365 Handicap Chase (15:00).
This nine-year-old is a tough and likeable mare who has won once and been placed in two starts over course and distance.
The placed effort came in this 12 months ago where Happy Diva lost second close home to finish a 22-length third of 10 to the very classy Cyrname off a rating of 142.
Happy Diva has to race in this year’s renewal off 7lb higher, but now drops down in grade having run really well off her current rating of 149 when beaten just a head by Lady Buttons in a hot Listed contest at Doncaster.
She only lost out in the dying stride that day and had dual Grade 1 winner La Bague Au Roi just over a length behind in third.
Prior to that, Happy Diva had shown tremendous battling qualities to beat Brelan D’as in the ultra-competitive Grade 2 BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
The third home Warthog, who was beaten a further eight lengths in receipt of 6lb from Happy Diva, went on to land the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at the home of jumps racing next time up.
That gives the form a solid look. Happy Diva also has proven form on testing ground and goes extremely well for Richard Patrick, who takes off a handy 3lb with his claim.
So, taking all this into account, a bold bid looks assured and she can be backed at a 9/2 with William Hill.
