Warthog digs deep to provide another Cheltenham success for late sire Martaline

Cheltenham has been the scene of some fine moments for Martaline, whose stallion career was provided with a fitting epitaph after the game victory of his son Warthog in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup.

The grey died just over a fortnight ago at Haras de Montaigu, having been stood down from duties earlier this year due to a heart problem.

One of his best-known National Hunt progeny was another grey, Dynaste, who clinched the Ryanair at Prestbury Park back in 2014.

Agrapart has won the Relkeel and Cleeve Hurdles for Martaline, while smart staying chaser Ramses De Teillee struck over hurdles at October’s Showcase meeting.

As with two of the three above, Warthog is trained by David Pipe and had indicated his wellbeing with a third-placed finish behind Happy Diva in last month’s BetVictor Gold Cup.

The seven-year-old was tenacious when losing his lead to Spiritofthegames after the final fence this time, grabbing the advantage again almost on the line under David Noonan.

Top French jumps stallion Martaline died last monthCredit: Rp Graphics

Warthog, who was bred in France by Thierry Seguinotte, has a distinguished jump pedigree as his dam, Shekira, ran up a terrific sequence over hurdles at Auteuil which culminated in the Grade 1 Prix Renaud du Vivier.

Warthog found his way to the 2015 Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale, where he was offered by Limekiln Stud and sold for €55,000 to Alan Harte as a three-year-old store.

He was a ten-length winner of a point-to-point at Lingstown for Harte and Denis Murphy in late 2016 before joining the Pipe stable and running for Professor Caroline Tisdall and Bryan Drew.

"We were worried because he struggled bit at two-miles-four last time and this is two-five on a more galloping track," Drew told Racing TV. "He’s obviously fitter, keener and enjoyed the day. We’re on cloud nine."

Tisdall added: "We think some of this was mental, we've sometimes thought he wasn't quite the bravest. He’s certainly the most beautiful and possibly one of the largest, but today he was very brave."

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