Nap of the Day: Mullins mare to enhance Cheltenham claims

It was a welcome return to the winners' enclosure on Sunday, as Lazare de Star (11/8) defied a drift to oblige in good style at Leopardstown.

Fingers crossed for more of the same on Monday, with the Nap of the Day coming from Doncaster.

I expect SPINDLEBERRY to be difficult to beat in the Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares' Chase - a Listed affair over 2m4½f - at Doncaster on Monday.

Willie Mullins' seven-year-old is a Grade 1 mare with aspirations of winning the Mares' Chase at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.

The daughter of Policy Maker was runner-up at the highest level over hurdles, but went one better over the bigger obstacles.

That was in the WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse in April, having claimed Listed honours at the same venue a couple of months prior.

She maintained her unbeaten record over fences after winning another Listed event at Clonmel last month in cosy fashion, beating Kilbarry Saint who was in receipt of over a stone and confirming superiority with Bioluminescence.

This is a tougher test, but certainly not the toughest she's faced. Beating Firefox, by four-and-a-half lengths, and Champ Kiely, by a further six, would be that.

I'm a big fan of Paggane, a former stablemate of the selection, who's rejuvenated since joining the AP McCoy-backed Faye Bramley stable. She's won a couple of Listed chases this season by a combined 18 lengths and is feared, but this is a step up.

She's held by Mullins' Fun Fun Fun, a mare I've always thought plenty of, on their meeting at this level at Perth back in April. She enjoyed a spin over hurdles at Punchestown last month that ought to have put her spot on for this. She is as much of a threat, if not more of one in my book.

Telepathique isn't a no-hoper, but she'd be a surprising winner for me - while Mini Mildred is just making up the numbers. Respectfully.

If she's travelled over well and is 100%, I struggle to see Spindleberry beat. She's a proper contender for March, too.

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