'It was still up in the air until this morning' - Marsh Wren defies foot abscess and step up in trip to make winning return

Marsh Wren ridden by Ciaran Gethings wins at Thurles

Marsh Wren (pictured winning at Thurles): could return to Ireland after winning at Market RasenCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Marsh Wren stepped up in trip with aplomb to make an impressive winning reappearance in the Listed Bud Booth Mares' Chase.

The eight-year-old, who was last seen finishing third in the Grade 2 Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, was tackling her longest trip over fences in the 3m feature.

Sean Bowen, deputising for the injured Ciaran Gethings on his first ride for trainer Stuart Edmunds, made all on Marsh Wren, who finished 16 lengths clear of 13-8 favourite and Grade 1 winner Apple Away.

The victory was all the more impressive given the now nine-time winner was in some doubt for the £32,500 contest.

“She had a foot abscess two days ago,” Edmunds told Racing TV. “She’s had the shoe on and off about six times I think in two days. It was still up in the air until this morning. The shoe went back on very early then and she made it here.”

Marsh Wren’s previous Listed victory came at Thurles in February and she could return to Ireland on New Year’s Day for a 2m5½f Grade 3 at Fairyhouse, which has been won by Nicky Henderson and Kim Bailey in the last decade.

Bowen was completing a double after helping Camino Rocio make it three from three since joining Jim and Suzi Best in the 2m5½f novice handicap chase.

Gift wraps up victory

Supreme Gift finished a place behind Harbour Lake at Cheltenham in April on his penultimate start, but the Henry Daly-trained seven-year-old reversed the form with that rival to land the Pertemps qualifier.

The 3-1 winner, who was meeting Harbour Lake on 8lb better terms, won by half a length under Sam Twiston-Davies, who had earlier partnered Chief Sunday to a successful handicap debut for his father Nigel.

Flyer makes no mistake

Tripoli Flyer was second on his hurdling debut at Chepstow and was sent off at odds of 1-14 to go one better in the 2m½f novice hurdle.

Jonathan Burke made no mistake on Fergal O’Brien’s Grade 2 Aintree bumper runner-up, who duly obliged by 29 lengths from Bennettshill.

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