Tony Martin, who has enjoyed considerable success with his runners in Britain this season, was on the mark there again yesterday when his recent point-to-point winner, Extra Stout, was successful in the Duke Of Gloucester Memorial Hunters' Chase at Sandown.
Extra Stout came home five lengths clear of Braes Of Mar, who was attempting to win the race for the second successive year for Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
The winner is declared to run in the opener at Sandown today, but the four-mile National Hunt at Cheltenham next week is a more likely option according to the seven-year-old's trainer.
Court Melody turned from conscientious objector to war hero with a victory in the Horse & Hound Grand Military Gold Cup.
The Paul Nicholls-trained bay has shown useful form over fences, including when winning twice previously over this course and distance. However, having refused to race on his last two starts, the 11-year-old has looked something of a liability when it comes to the trenches.
But, sweetened up by a recent spell of hunting, Court Melody showed the more co-operative side of his nature, challenging Druid's Brook at the third fence from home and staying on up the hill.
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