Diva Luna dazzles on fencing bow

BEN Pauling was delighted and relieved in equal measure after seeing Diva Luna make a foot-perfect start to her career over fences in the Yorton Mares’ Novices’ Chase at Bangor.

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The Grade Two bumper winner won over hurdles at Cheltenham on New Year's Day and was placed at the Festival in March, but it a measure of the regard in which she is held that her trainer feels she was never at her best last season. Making her fencing bow in Listed company, Diva Luna was a 7-4 shot in the hands of Ben Jones and jumped fluently on the front end throughout to keep the pressure on her nearest pursuer Queens Gamble and the 11-10 favourite Joyeuse.