Metkayina makes fitness count to avenge Diva Luna defeat

Metkayina is set for an immediate rise in class after claiming the notable scalp of Diva Luna at Lingfield on Monday.

Ben Pauling’s Diva Luna looked a top-class prospect in winning a Listed prize at Market Rasen and a Grade Two at Aintree in the bumper sphere last season, beating the Noel Williams-trained Metkayina into fourth place on the latter occasion.

Diva Luna was a 4-11 favourite on her return to action in the Sky Sports Racing HD Virgin 519 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, with Metkayina a 100-30 chance after picking up the silver medal behind Pauling’s subsequent winner It’s Hard To Know at this track four weeks ago.

Diva Luna set out to make all the running under Kielan Woods, but Gavin Sheehan was never too far behind aboard Metkayina in the Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate colours and her jumping was particularly impressive as she battled her way to a one-and-a-quarter-length verdict.

“I’m delighted with that. Diva Luna was obviously a very good mare to be taking on, but Metkayina had a very good run here the last day behind another one of Ben Pauling’s that has come and won since, so we were looking forward to running her again,” Fehily told Sky Sports Racing.

“I think she’s fine at two miles – she travels strongly. I see no reason to go up in trip yet anyway.

“We’ll probably go for a Listed race or something like that. We’ll speak to Noel (Williams) and see, but we’ll probably go up in grade, I’d imagine.”

Pauling was keen to take the positives out of Diva Luna’s performance in finishing second to a high-class and race-fit rival.

He said: “Delighted. We’ll get a lot of stick for getting her beaten, but that’s just what happens these days sadly.

“I thought she jumped beautifully, I thought she travelled really well and she was probably just vulnerable to one that has very good form herself.

“We don’t want to underdo the winner, she’s a very nice horse. This was our first run, she took a fair old blow turning in and I think she’ll come on a ton for it. It’s a great starting point.”