LADY Buttons got up in the final stride to just pip Happy Diva, with La Bague Au Roi a close-up third, in a thrilling race for the Listed MansionBet At Doncaster Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares’ Chase.

Repeating her victory of 12 months ago, this year Lady Buttons faced far more strength in depth because La Bague Au Roi won two Grade 1s as a novice, and Happy Diva landed the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham last time out.

Added to the mix was Nicky Henderson’s Casablanca Mix, who arrived on a four-timer but was the first of the big guns to come under pressure, and it soon involved only three.

La Bague Au Roi had adopted her usual front-running role under Richard Johnson and put in some spectacular leaps on the way round, showing all her old enthusiasm.

Phil Kirby’s Lady Buttons appeared to be travelling better than her two rivals all the way up the straight, but on jumping the last, she found herself a length down, and it appeared Happy Diva was going to prevail.

But Tommy Dowson, replacing the injured Adam Nicol, delivered the popular mare in front right on the line to win by a head at 11/4.

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