Jockey Daryl Jacob believes Zambella is the best mare in Britain and thinks a lighter race load could be the key to joy at the Cheltenham Festival.
N A Twiston-Davies' mare followed up her Listed success at Carlisle last month with a smart success in another Listed race at Doncaster on Thursday.
Under Jacob, Zambella scored a bloodless repeat success in the bet365 Yorkshire Silver Vase, beating Annie Mc by seven and a half lengths.
The smart seven-year-old produced a flawless round of jumping from the front to take the £75,000 contest and she is now as short as 8/1 for the Paddy Power Mares' Chase at Cheltenham.
"She's an absolute worldie," said Jacob at Doncaster. "Every year she keeps producing it. This is her Gold Cup every year. She's so brave and so honest. She puts her head down and says, 'I'll dominate you'. She's the most genuine mare you'll ever get in your life."
A seventh Listed success win she has earned more than £200,000 since being bought for €100,000 by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede. And connections are hopeful she can improve on her fourth to Elimay in the Mares' race in 2022.
"Fresh off the back of picking up a Grade One win on Blue Lord at Leopardstown, it was great to be able to win Doncaster's Listed Mares' Chase again aboard Zambella on Thursday," Jacob told Sportinglife.com
"She's a great mare, just a dream to ride and she wears her heart on her sleeve at home on the gallops and every time she goes to the racecourse.
"She was fourth in the Mares' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season and I'd imagine she'll almost certainly be aimed at that race again. Whereas she was possibly just a little bit flat on the day last year, having run in January and February en route, we might just give her a slightly lighter campaign this time and look to run her once more before the Festival.
"I think there's a suitable target at Huntingdon for her but Nigel (Twiston-Davies) will make a plan and I definitely think she's in better form this year anyway. I think she's the best mare in Britain so we'll see what comes over from Ireland in the spring. Hopefully spacing out her races a bit more will help."
