Milan Mare Defies Penalty In Classy Contest

Nina The Terrier (5m Milan - Shees A Dante, by Westerner) stamped her class when defying a double penalty in the Class 2 Mares Hurdle at Newbury on Thursday.

Alan King’s charge came into the race with back-to-back wins to her name, but faced two black-type rivals in the two mile contest, including Listed winner and Champion Bumper third Elle Est Belle (Fame And Glory). Racing prominently throughout under Tom Bellamy, she was pushed along from the second last and was ridden to lead at the final flight. Quickening clear on the run-in, she scored by two and a quarter lengths on the line.

Alan King was delighted with the mare’s performance, and said, “We'll have to take her very seriously and come up with a plan. I think we think of the Cheltenham Festival and work backwards.”

Nina The Terrier has now won four of her seven starts for Charles Dingwall. The daughter of Milan is the first foal bred by Sam Doyle out of Shees A Dante (Westerner); herself a winning half-sister to God’s Own (Oscar).

The previous day at Musselburgh, Broadway Joe (7g Milan - Greenhall Rambler, by Anshan) made it two from two over fences when justifying favouritism in the two and a half mile Novices’ Chase.

Chasing the leaders under Danny McMenamin, the Nick Alexander-trained bay was pushed along from four out and improved to lead at the second last. Running on well, he scored by four and a half lengths in comfortable fashion.

Owned by Clan Gathering and bred by James Mulhall, Broadway Joe also won over hurdles last season.