Relief for Sheppard as The Bay Birch ends wait for winner in mares' chase
Relief and delight were the overriding emotions for Matt Sheppard as The Bay Birch ended the trainer’s 271-day wait for a winner with victory in the 3m mares’ handicap chase.
The eight-year-old, owned by Tony Scrivin, bounced back to form in a first-time tongue strap, scoring by four lengths under the trainer’s son Stan to set up a tilt at the Challenger Mares’ Chase series final at Haydock on April 20.
Sheppard’s horses accrued a career-best total of £134,007 in prize-money last campaign but fortune has not favoured the Herefordshire yard this season, with their previous success coming with this five-time winner at Uttoxeter in May.
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