Martin Pipe admitted to a feeling of “relief” after Lough Derg ended his mini-drought with victory in the Christine Loze Birthday Beginners’ Chase at Exeter.

Martin Pipe brought to an end a losing run stretching back almost two weeks when 9-4 favourite Lough Derg landed the Christine Loze Birthday Beginners’ Chase at Exeter.

Nicky Henderson and Mick Fitzgerald entered the New Year in top form and the Seven Barrows team kept the ball rolling with a double at Plumpton today thanks to Old Bean and Non So.

Lingo went to the head of the market for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival after winning the feature race at Sandown Park yesterday.