13:35 Doncaster

Sunday 29 December 2019

All11:5512:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

MansionBet At Doncaster Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares' Chase (Listed)

Off time: 13:35 | Winning time: 5m 10.5s

Casablanca Mix²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 154| D

5/2

Stayed on stoutly when taking the Listed Summer Plate at Market Rasen (2m5½f) in July; easily landed the odds on return from a four-and-a-half month break at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago; is seeking a four-timer.

Form: 930-111

Happy Diva^t⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 149| D

9/2

Consistent and ultra-reliable (now 5-16 over fences); took the Grade 3 Bet Victor Gold Cup at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) by a neck on her most recent start - form franked since by third-placed Warthog.

Form: 31U2-21

Lady Buttons^p²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 149| CD

11/4

As tough as teak and right up there with the very best among her own sex (hurdles or fences); ready winner of a mares' Listed race (second successive year) at Wetherby (2m soft) on seasonal reappearance; outclassed in the Fighting Fifth since.

Form: 1142-14

La Bague Au Roi²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 150| D

9/4

A thoroughly honest and likeable mare who hasn't quite fired as of yet this season; third to Top Notch in the Grade 2 Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon (2m4f) latest; side-stepped the King George VI Chase for this more suitable option.

Form: 1112-P3

Dalila Du Seuil^h²⁹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: H Fry| OR: 149| BF

16/1

Set JP McManus back €210,000 in November 2017; made a winning start over fences for Harry Fry at Exeter (2m1½f, heavy) last December before hitting the deck early in a mares' novices' chase at Warwick (2m4f, soft) in March; off since (for 294 days).

Form: 0114/1F-

Holly Flight^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 124| D

50/1

Ex-Irish racer (Paul O'Flynn); easily brushed aside by the four-timer seeking Casablanca Mix on debut for Keith Dalgleish at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago; needs somewhat of a minor miracle in order to land this intriguing contest.

Form: 244262

Queen's Magic^t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: James Best| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 130

33/1

Got off to the perfect start over fences when staying on well to fend off the Harry Fry-trained Momella at Huntingdon (2m4f, good to soft) five weeks ago; significant improvement is needed in this more competitive race.

Form: 23-1141

Non-Runners

Sensulano¹⁷

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: Noel Williams J: Non Runner

Forecasts

La Bague Au Roi (9/4), Casablanca Mix (5/2), Lady Buttons (11/4), Happy Diva (9/2), Sensulano (8/1), Dalila Du Seuil (16/1), Queen's Magic (33/1), Holly Flight (50/1)

Doncaster has endured some testing times with the weather recently, but this Listed Mares' Chase will warm the hearts of racegoers well beyond the boundary of South Yorkshire. The admirable Lady Buttons returns to fences after being found wanting in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, while the improving Casablanca Mix seeks a four-timer for Nicky Henderson. However, following on from an improved run in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon we'll chance that the thoroughly likeable LA BAGUE AU ROI can rediscover her very best form on a drying racing surface. She side-stepped a crack at the King George VI Chase and that patient approach can reap dividends here.