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.

Sue Smith’s Tipsy Mouse left his connections hoping that one day he can emulate his Grand National-winning full-brother Royal Athlete after he had put up a game performance to win at Haydock Park yesterday.

AZERTYUIOP, second to Moscow Flyer in the William Hill Tingle Creek Trophy at Sandown in December, faces a tough task giving weight all round in Saturday’s Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot.