Siegemaster stamps class and looks a ‘natural’

SIEGEMASTER stamped himself an exciting chasing prospect when coasting to a bloodless victory in the Horse & Jockey Beginners Chase at Thurles yesterday.

Torrential rain caused a significant deterioration in ground conditions and a succession of withdrawals.

But in-form trainer Dessie Hughes was understandably delighted by the performance produced by Siegemaster, a half-brother to Our Vic, which jumped superbly under Davy Russell (who reported that his mount “loved the conditions”), hit the front after the fourth last and was set for a comfortable win when nearest rival Im A Witness fell at the final fence, leaving the 6/4 favourite to triumph by a distance.