Schiaparelli was represented by an Anglo-Irish double on Thursday as the hugely consistent Marsh Wren won the Irish EBF Colreevy Mares’ Novice Chase at Thurles and Hidden History notched a debut success over hurdles at Lingfeld.
Marsh Wren, now eight, has been a star for trainer Stuart Edmunds, winning eight of her 13 starts, including three of her four outings this season. In the other she was second in the Listed Lady Godiva Mares’ Novice Chase at Wincanton in December. Bred by the executors of the late Renee Robeson, she is from a family that the trainer and breeder did well with over several generations. Marsh Wren has now won in all three National Hunt disciplines.
Her jockey Ciaran Gethings, who was recording his first win in Ireland, said: “I tried to turn it into a test of stamina, we were trapping coming down to last so I was praying to meet it on a stride and she did. She never wins pretty, but there won’t be too many to out-battle her.”
Marsh Wren has an entry for the G2 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on 15 March.
In England, the six-year-old Hidden History was making only his second start under rules on Thursday after winning a point-to-point almost exactly a year ago. Bred by Richard and Caroline Mathias, he is out of the multiple Flat and hurdles winner Bollin Judith, a daughter of the Westbrooks’ St Leger winner Bollin Eric.
Last month Hidden History finished third on his hurdles debut for Chris Gordon and the Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate, and he followed up that promising start with a solid victory in the hands of Rex Dingle. He was described in the Racing Post analysis as “clearly promising”.
