Moviddy breaks maiden over fences and could return to Cheltenham for £50,000 series final

Moviddy teed up a potential tilt at the £50,000 Challenger Series Mares' Chase final at Cheltenham on April 17 after gaining a first win over fences in the 3m1f qualifier.

The Noel Williams-trained nine-year-old was a ten-race maiden over fences but had run several fine races in defeat, including when second to a subsequent Listed winner in the Queen Boudicca Series final at Fakenham in January.

Moviddy, who runs for the Noel Fehily Racing Club, led throughout to score by three and a quarter lengths under Jonathan Burke.

Williams said: "She's put in a lot of good efforts and very often bumped into one, so it's very satisfying to get that chase win. We'll quite possibly have a go at the final, in which she finished fourth last year."

The trainer-owner-jockey combination were delighted with Metkayina's fifth in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and she could run on the same card next month.

Successful return

Bethpage could also be seen at the mares-only fixture at Cheltenham after victory in the feature 3m½f mares' handicap hurdle.

The Emma Lavelle-trained seven-year-old was produced expertly by Ben Jones to score by three lengths. She has a 4-10 record over hurdles and could run in the Mares' Challenger Series Final.

Welcome winner

Trainer Carroll Gray enjoyed a first jumps winner since January 2022 when Basman Palace landed the 2m4f novice handicap hurdle, securing a double for Micheal Nolan. He steered Somespring Special to success on her first start for Philip Hobbs and Johnson White in the 2m4f handicap chase.

Read more:

Lingfield: 'Hopefully there's another thousand under the bonnet somewhere!' - Hollie Doyle rides her 1,000th domestic winner 

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