Parfois looks perfect for Newbury trophy hunters
MS Parfois can defy the weight of statistics and become just the second mare to win the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury today.
Only Kerstin in 1959 has triumphed for the distaff division, but in Ms Parfois, Anthony Honeyball appears to have just the type to right that record.
The seven-year-old enjoyed a fine novice season last term, winning three of her seven chase starts, including a Listed mares’ event over just short of three miles at this very track.
She also managed a fine second in the four-miler at Cheltenham before chasing home Terrefort in Grade One company at Aintree on her final outing.
Ms Parfois looks as though she will stay for days, so this three- and-a-quarter-mile trip should be right up her street, especially with conditions having started to ease in recent days.
She lines up on a competitive enough mark and can be relied upon to put in a fine round of jumping, with any further rain only aiding her cause.
Santini can make a victorious start over fences in the Ladbrokes John Francome Novices’ Chase.
Nicky Henderson’s charge won three of his four novice hurdle outings in the 2017/18 campaign, with his only blip coming when third in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival.
The six-year-old was an impressive winner on his only point-to-point start, so the omens are good as he starts out over the bigger obstacles.
Buveur D’Air should be on the mark for Henderson as he kicks off his campaign in a stellar renewal of the BetVictor Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.
The seven-year-old perhaps does not get quite as much credit as he deserves, given the fact he has won the last two Champion Hurdles and is unbeaten in his last 10 starts.
Admittedly Henderson does not go to the well too often with his two-mile star, but Buveur D’Air always rises to the challenge - as he showed when repelling Melon by a neck at Cheltenham back in March.
His jumping was far from perfect that day, but he still managed to complete the task - which says plenty about his admirable attitude.
Samcro, Summerville Boy and Bedrock will provide a stiff challenge. But Buveur D’Air can put those contenders back in their place.
Baywing was a convincing winner of the Eider at Gosforth Park back in February and can take a starring role in the Betvictor Rehearsal Chase.
The nine-year-old excels in testing conditions and has won first time out in previous seasons.
Salute The Soldier can lift the all-weather highlight of the day at Wolverhampton. Clive Cox’s charge is on a steep upward curve and goes in search of a third success on the bounce in the sunracing.co.uk Handicap.
He is stepped up a bit in class for this race, but his recent twoand-three-quarter-length win at Kempton offers plenty of hope - because he stayed on powerfully looking as though he had plenty up his sleeve.
Hiked 7lb in the ratings following that win, Salute The Soldier might still be ahead of the handicapper.
BANGOR: 12.20 Blu Cavalier, 12.55 Vengeur De Guye, 1.30 Fleminport, 2.00 Flash The Steel, 2.35 Pogue, 3.10 So Sorry Sarah, 3.45 Donladd.
DONCASTER: 12.00 Anemoi, 12.35 Outofthisworld, 1.10 Shiroccan Roll, 1.45 Midnight Maestro, 2.15 Tyrell, 2.50 Inchcolm, 3.25 Book Of Invasions. FAIRYHOUSE 12.15 Dolciano Dici, 12.50 Mrs Lovett, 1.25 All The Answers, 1.55 Lone Wolf, 2.30 Inca Gold, 3.05 Humm Baby, 3.40 Valdieu. NEWBURY: 12.10 Diamond Gait, 12.45 Santini, 1.20 Kapcorse, 1.50 Speedo Boy, 2.25 Lisp, 3.00 MS PARFOIS (NAP), 3.35 Lady Buttons.
NEWCASTLE: 11.50 Swordbill, 12.25 Halcyon Days, 1.00 Beakstown, 1.35 Rock My Style, 2.05 Buveur D’Air, 2.40 Idee De Garde, 3.20 Baywing. WOLVERHAMPTON: 5.15 Society Star, 5.45 Jungle Warfare, 6.15 Kodiac Pride, 6.45 Gulland Rock, 7.15 Areen Heart, 7.45 Salute The Soldier, 8.15 Butterfield, 8.45 Cat Royale.
DOUBLE: Ms Parfois and Buveur D’Air.