Man From Mars posts determined hurdles victory at Kempton.
Man From Mars justified favouritism when sticking gamely to the task to shed his maiden tag over hurdles and become the first winner for his sire Schiaparelli.
Looking every bit the chaser in the making, the statuesque five-year-old was prominent throughout the two-mile novices’ hurdle but had to be shaken up by jockey Noel Fehily rounding the home turn as he was swallowed up by challengers. Galloping out resolutely to the line on straightening for home, he managed to see off Burning Flame to claim the spoils for trainer Nick Williams and his owners in the Chasing Gold Racing Club.
Bred by T H Chadney from the dual-purpose winner Diletia (Dilum), Man From Mars is a half-brother to the five-time winner and Grade 2-placed hurdler Jumps Road and three other National Hunt winners. He first took to the racecourse on 14 February 2016, finishing second in a bumper at Exeter and was also runner-up over hurdles at Huntingdon in January.
With his first crop now just turning five, Schiaparelli has a few more potential runners this week, with Lyreen Lad engaged for a maiden hurdle at Limerick on Thursday, the same day that Billy Elliott is entered for the bumper at Taunton.
