Progressive Westerner Mare Produces Career-Best

The progressive Ooh Betty (6m Westerner – On The Prairie, by Definite Article) recorded her fourth win over hurdles in the Class 2 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Lingfield on Sunday.

It marked a significant step up in class for the Ben Clarke-trained mare, who ran out an impressive winner last time out at Hereford. The previously unbeaten Aston Martini (Getaway) completed a 1-2 for Coolmore NH sires, and finished six lengths clear of the Listed-winning favourite in third.

Speaking after the race, the winning trainer said, “It means a hell of a lot and this is a big prize for us. If we get half-decent ground at Cheltenham, I've always had the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle in the back of my mind. We ran Endless Escape (Getaway), who got beaten ten lengths, in it last year and this mare would be a much speedier type.”

Ooh Betty was purchased by connections following her win in a four-year-old mares maiden at Bartlemy for John Joseph Hanlon. The daughter of Westerner was bred by Hannah Cashman.