National Hunt racing fans always have one eye on Cheltenham and we have you covered with our weekly Road to Cheltenham series. This week we’ll be taking a look at the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle on Day 3 and this one could go to the home team. Ben Pauling has had an excellent campaign so far, which could be improved with a 14/1 Cheltenham Festival winner. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Diva Luna got off the mark over hurdles at the second time of asking last time out and it’s a good omen that she’s now a previous course winner. Cheltenham doesn’t suit every horse and this could prove to be a significant advantage.
It was immediately obvious that she was a talented mare, as she won a Listed bumper at Market Rasen on her first start under rules. She beat Dan Skelton’s Listentoyourheart that day and she has since gone on to win a Listed race over hurdles.
The form of her Grade 2 Aintree bumper win is absolutely rock-solid, as she comfortably got the better of Jubilee Alpha and that mare is also a candidate for this race. Every piece of form adds up and the fact that her maiden hurdle victory came over an extended 2m4f is also a massive plus as the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle tends to suit stayers, despite being run over 2m1f.
Diva Luna @ 14/1 (bet365) Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
Better Days Ahead @ 16/1 (Paddy Power) Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
Ginny’s Destiny @ 40/1 (Paddy Power) Ryanair Chase
Magical Zoe @ 20/1 (bet365) Mares’ Hurdle
Potters Charm @ 25/1 (bet365) Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Jalon D’Oudairies @ 16/1 (bet365) Turners Novices’ Hurdle
Wingmen @ 14/1 (Paddy Power) Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
If you back any of our selections you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app or racingpost.com. Simply log in to one of your bookmaker accounts and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards.