Smart Hurdle Double For Getaway

A step up in trip saw the Lucinda Russell-trained Calle Malva (4f Getaway - Waydale Hill, by Minster Son) gain her first win over hurdles at Hexham on Wednesday.

Purchased by her trainer after finishing second in a point-to-point for Alan Donoghue, the bay finished fifth on her hurdle debut over two miles last month. Stepping up to two and a half miles and racing on heavy ground for the first time on Wednesday, she raced close to the pace under Blair Campbell and improved into second approaching the final flight. Switched left to challenge on the run-in, she soon led and ran on to win by a length and a quarter, as the first pair finished clear of the field.

Owned by the Falcon Partnership, Calle Malva was bred by Simon Besanson and was completing a smart double on the day for Grange Stud sire Getaway. Over at Leicester, Keppage (5g Getaway - Miracle Lady, by Bob’s Return) made a winning hurdle debut to make it two from two for the David Pipe stable.

The Gareth Adair-bred bay showed promise on his sole point-to-point start before being purchased privately for owner Sarah Ling, who was rewarded with a bumper win last month. Sent off favourite for the Winter Novices’ Hurdle, he led approaching the second last and kept on well under pressure to hold off Bendy Bow by a length and a quarter.