LUNA LANDING EXPECTED AT SANDOWN

By Molly Hunter

Diva Luna can shine once again when she lines up in the Anne Boleyn “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown.

Ben Pauling’s six-year-old was a Listed and Grade Two-winning bumper horse, who defeated Paul Nicholls’ Jubilee Alpha at the latter level at Aintree last spring.

Her hurdling debut saw her finish the runner-up in a two-mile event, after which she stepped up in trip to two and a half miles for a Cheltenham maiden on New Year’s Day and made all to win smartly.

The form from her bumper days has been working out favourably ever since, with Jubilee Alpha and the fifth-placed Listentoyourheart faring well in Listed company since graduating to hurdles themselves.

It all bodes well for Diva Luna, who is highly regarded by her stable and steps back down to two miles at Sandown when she is favourably treated as a mare alongside geldings, with her allowance cancelling out the penalty she carries for being a hurdles winner already.

On the same card Sam Thomas’ Vincenzo can come out on top in the Arthur Gregory Centenary Celebration Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

The seven-year-old was third in the Grade Two Persian War at the start of the season before switching to fences to win on his first attempt at Windsor in mid-December.

He then contested a three-runner Cheltenham affair on his next start when well beaten by the well thought of Kalif Du Berlais, but he looks able to be more competitive here without such a presence in the field.

At Doncaster George’s Lad can get off the mark over obstacles for Emma Lavelle in the Virgin Bet EBF “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle.

The five-year-old has been getting the hanging of things since taking to the discipline, finishing sixth on debut and then only finding one too good on his second start at Kempton in November.

On that occasion he was second to Stuart Edmunds’ highly promising Miami Magic, subsequently a fine second in the Grade One Formby Novices’ at Aintree on Boxing Day.

George’s Lad, meanwhile, went to Huntingdon to miss out by just a length when second in a 14-runner maiden, another step forward and an eyecatching run.

He now steps up in trip at Doncaster having been run over two miles on his last two starts, though with his dam finishing second in a three-mile point-to-point the distance should be within his range and he can get his head in front under a top rider in Harry Cobden.

Meetmebythesea should also be followed on Town Moor. He is two from two over hurdles and made the most of the weight he got from smart prospect The Kemble Brewery to win at Ludlow in December. He has a double penalty to carry in the Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Novices’ Hurdle, but Callum Pritchard’s 7lb claim helps in that regard.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

LINGFIELD: Race 1: 13.35 Miss Moonshine, Race 2: 14.05 Tsarinas Song, Race 3: 14.35 Sweet Couture,
Race 4: 15.08 Muy Barato, Race 5: 15.40 Dubai Magic, Race 6: 16.15 Charlie's Choice, Race 7: 16.50
Neptune Legend, Race 8: 17.25 Hawajes, Race 9: 18.03 My Turn Now.

DONCASTER: Race 1: 14.25 George's Lad, Race 2: 14.55 Yealand, Race 3: 15.28 Rhodia, Race 4: 16.03
Meetmebythesea, Race 5: 16.38 Jack Sprat, Race 6: 17.13 Prince Cleni, Race 7: 17.48 Cobbler's Boy.

SANDOWN: Race 1: 15.15 DIVA LUNA (NAP), Race 2: 15.50 Don't Wind Me Up, Race 3: 16.25 Vincenzo,
Race 4: 17.00 Black Gerry, Race 5: 17.35 Il Va De Soi, Race 6: 18.10 Typhoon Flyer.

SOUTHWELL: Race 1: 18.45 Fast Fred, Race 2: 19.15 Solarize, Race 3: 19.45 Invited, Race 4: 20.15
Overnight Oats, Race 5: 20.45 Mojomaker, Race 6: 21.15 Bomb Squad, Race 7: 21.45 Miggy Magic, Race
8: 22.15 Alfheim.

ALL TO COME: George's Lad (Doncaster, Race 1) and Diva Luna (Sandown, Race 1).

For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab4Racing.com