Diva Delivers For Lee In Betvictor

Leading action from Cheltenham’s November meeting

Described as a “bridesmaid” by trainer Kerry Lee, Happy Diva finally enjoyed her day in the sun with a thrilling success in the £160,000 G3 BetVictor Gold Cup under 3lb claimer Richard Patrick.

A 14/1 chance, Happy Diva was always travelling well in the two and a half-mile event and was vying for the lead at the penultimate fence, at which 4/1 favourite Slate House, who was travelling very well, fell.

From there, Happy Diva, an eight-year-old daughter of King’s Theatre, kept on tremendously under pressure to fend off the persistent Brelan D’As (20/1) for Paul Nicholls and Barry Geraghty to score by a neck.

Happy Diva took her career earnings over the £250,000 mark this afternoon and a delighted Lee paid tribute to her stable star.

She said: “What a brilliant horse Happy Diva is. She has been the bridesmaid once too often, but she is a Listed winner over fences.

“Happy Diva beat Magic Of Light last term who went on to finish second in the Grand National, so the form was there!

“She had always been on the coat tails and it’s great to win today.

It was a great ride by Richard. We came into the race with a game plan and thankfully it has worked. We had a plan to be positioned by the rail and she travelled really well throughout and jumped beautifully.

“Happy Diva is a tough and gutsy mare and her class shone through. “It is great to have the Roseff family

here today. They have been with the yard since my father started over 30 years ago.

“They are fantastic owners as if we have a quiet day, they always say there is another one. If we have a great day, boy do they celebrate.

“I think it’s five years since dad bought her in Ireland – mum and dad went together and bought her as a store – and I am absolutely over the moon.”

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