Getaway Mare Impresses In Scottish Champion Hurdle

Verdana Blue (7m Getaway - Blue Gallery, by Bluebird) ran out a thoroughly impressive winner of Saturday’s Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr.

The Grade 2 contest saw the Nicky Henderson-trained mare return to her preferred good ground, having finished fifth in last month’s Champion Hurdle on soft. Sent off favourite under Connor Brace, she was held up towards the back of the 14 horse field and began to make smooth headway approaching the third last. Leading soon after, she quickened clear with minimum fuss, running on to beat Dino Velvet by seven lengths.

Saturday marked a ninth career victory for Crimbourne Stud-owned mare, four of which have been black-type, with her greatest success coming in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle, in which she lowered the colours of Buveur D’Air.

Her first win came in a Killarney bumper for breeder, owner and trainer Edmond Kent, after which she was sold to Highflyer Bloodstock for £65,000.