'He's a chaser in the making' - Ronnie Bartlett and Dan Skelton off to a flyer with smart hurdling debutant Minella Marathon

The four-year-old, the winner of his sole point-to-point start in March and the first runner for the stable in the famous Ronnie Bartlett silks, won by three and a quarter lengths under Harry Skelton at odds of 5-6.

The £200,000 purchase showed inexperience in the closing stages but proved a class apart from his rivals, and adds to an expanding roster of novice hurdling talent for the yard following Supreme favourite Mydaddypaddy's success at Carlisle on Monday.

"He's done everything nicely at home and we didn't go very quickly, but he's won in spite of that," said Harry Skelton. "He could progress quite well.

"He had a look when he hit the front, but he could improve a lot. Looking at him he's a chaser in the making really. It's our first runner for Ronnie as well, so we got him off to a good start."

Ikarak inches it

Ikarak made his first appearance at Lingfield a winning one when prevailing in a photo-finish for the Class 3 2m7f handicap hurdle.

The Olly Murphy-trained seven-year-old, who was sent off the 13-8 favourite, was forced to fend off a sustained challenge from main market rival Spike Jones, but managed to hold on by a nose under Sean Bowen to register his first win since January.

Harry off mark

Harry Junior, the aptly named half-brother to Grade 2 winner Harry Senior, got off the mark at the sixth attempt when landing the Class 5 2m7f handicap hurdle.

The striking five-year-old made all under Jack Tudor to justify 11-4 favouritism for trainer David Pipe.

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