Son Of Westerner Impresses With Back To Back Wins

The David Pipe-trained Martinhal (6g Westerner - Gweedara, by Saddlers’ Hall) dug deep to defy a penalty and win the first division of Sunday’s Novices’ Hurdle at Exeter.

The son of Westerner won his maiden hurdle at the track last month and enjoyed a form boost when the runner-up scored by ten lengths next time out. Making a slight step up to two miles and two and a half miles, the bay was ridden to make all by Tom Scudamore and began to pick up the pace from four out. Ridden from the second last, he was forced to rally on the run-in and kept on strongly to deny the favourite by a head on the line.

Drawing 13 lengths clear of the third, Martinhal’s victory was made more impressive by the fact that his nearest rivals had both previously won over hurdles. Speaking after the race, the winning trainer said, “That was a lovely performance, Martinhal is a horse we've always liked. He's got a lovely attitude and the second looks a decent horse. To me he's a three-miler so we could go up in trip.”

Owned by Mrs Lynne Maclennan, Martinhal was bred by Mrs A Young.