'I didn’t expect to see her win like that' - Diva Luna slashed to 16-1 for Cheltenham Festival after 19-length chase debut success

Ben Pauling has always held Diva Luna in the highest regard, but he was still taken aback by the manner of her first victory over fences.

A Grade 2 bumper winner at Aintree last year, the six-year-old mare produced a powerful performance when scoring by 19 lengths in the four-runner Listed mares’ novice chase.

Pauling said: "In my wildest dreams, I didn’t expect to see her win like that. That’s a big result and we’ll get her home so we can look to the future."

Diva Luna, who was cut to 16-1 (from 33) with Paddy Power for the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham in March, is likely to head to Warwick for a Listed contest on December 11 next.

Pauling said: "I was very nervous today because I wanted to see what I believed she was, but we’ve hopefully seen that. 

"When she finished third in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham she was weak and never right. You doubt yourself because I always thought she was the best filly I’ve trained, and even maybe one of the best horses I’ve trained."

It was the second part of a double for Pauling and jockey Ben Jones, who also struck in the 2m4½f handicap chase with Fine Casting.

Big prize

Deep Cave landed another big pot for Christian Williams when scoring in the 3m handicap chase. A Grade 3 Aintree winner on his last start in April, the seven-year-old beat favourite The Doyen Chief to scoop just under £21,000 in prize-money.

Smart debut

Lambourn trainer Warren Greatrex appears to have a smart propsect on his hands in the form of Milou Du Chenet, who was a five-and-a-half length winner in the 2m½f junior hurdle.

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