Milan Mare Proves Far Too Good In Bumper

The Donald McCain-trained Nell’s Bells (5m Milan - Miss Cilla, by Shernazar) shaped like a smart prospect when powering clear in the mares’ bumper at Carlisle on Sunday.

Racing in touch under Peter Kavanagh, she made headway from three furlongs out and was pushed along to lead a furlong later. Ridden approaching the final furlong, she soon drew clear and went on to score by all of 17 lengths.

Owned by TG Leslie, Nell’s Bells was bred by E O’Gorman out of a half-sister to top-class hurdler Peddlers Cross (Oscar).

Over at Southwell, Charles Ritz (5g Milan - Miss Ballantyne, by Definite Article) continued a fruitful weekend for owner/breeders Mr and Mrs Richard Kelvin Hughes when making a winning start under rules in the novices hurdle.

The homebred son of Milan finished a promising second on his sole start between the flags, but faced an absence of almost a year on Sunday. Racing towards the back of the field under Jonathan Burke, the Tom George-trained bay improved to chase the leaders three flights from home. Producing a challenge at the last, he kept on well to win by two and a quarter lengths.

Mr and Mrs Kelvin-Hughes cheered their colours home at Cheltenham the previous day, when top-class hurdler My Drogo (Milan) got off the mark over fences.