Unanswered and Peter Carberry win the Paddy Power Feel Like A Favourite Intermediate Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham © Photo Healy Racing
The return to form of the Tony Martin stable has been one of the main stories of the current National Hunt season. On Saturday afternoon, the Meath trainer sent out a first Cheltenham winner in seven years, when Unanswered landed a sizeable punt in the closing race.
Once a regular visitor to the winners enclosure at the home of National Hunt racing, Martin had been a notable absentee since Rivage D'or was successful in the Cross Country Chase at the 2015 festival.
After a number of seasons in the doldrums, Martin has re-emerged in recent times, sending out Tudor City to win the Galway Hurdle just this summer. Unanswered, owned by loyal patron John Breslin, had been one of the leading lights for the Summerhill based trainer in 2022, winning three times on the flat, as well as once over flights.
A well backed favourite(2/1 from 6/1) for the 2m5f handicap hurdle that closed proceedings, the five-year-old was held up early in the race before making steady headway at the bottom of the hill. Peter John Carberry sent his mount past market rival Wiseguy over a furlong out, before stretching clear for an easy 6 length win.
The son of Intello looks set to receive a fair hike for this performance but probably needs to do so, if he is to return for the festival next March. On this evidence, he could prove a leading contender for the Pertemps Final.
