Parfois looks perfect for trophy hunters

Seven-year-old can become second mare to take crown

MS PARFOIS can defy the weight of statistics and become just the second mare to win the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury.

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.

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.

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. SELECTIONS: 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.

DOUBLE: Ms Parfois and Buveur D’Air.