Faye Bramley could barely speak — smiling, shaking, clutching her horse like a treasured keepsake — as Paggane delivered a performance of authority to win the Pertemps Network Listed Mares’ Chase at Market Rasen on Wednesday. “I’m on cloud nine,” she breathed, stroking the mare’s neck as if still confirming that what she’d witnessed was real. The six-year-old had jumped with presence, poise and precision, and the crowd felt it too. A murmur grew into applause down the straight as she lengthened powerfully away, every stride confident, every fence measured.
It was the second Listed success of her career, and perhaps her clearest yet, arriving just days after a preparatory ride at Newbury — her first major outing since joining Bramley from Willie Mullins during the summer. Many had billed the contest as a match with last year’s winner Marsh Wren, and for much of the three-mile journey the script held true: Marsh Wren rolling forward under Charlie Hammond, Harry Cobden keeping the favourite close and comfortable, and Paggane stalking with the kind of relaxed ease that suggested more to come.
But approaching home, the race changed. Paggane cruised past the defending champion almost without effort, clearing away as though running downhill. Even a slightly tight jump at the last couldn’t dull her rhythm — she remained fluent, unruffled, and coasted to the line eight and a half lengths clear of a staying-on Minniemum. The ease of it made the winning margin feel even larger.
Bramley was visibly amazed by how quickly Paggane continues to rise.
“She keeps improving and I can’t get my head around it,” she said. “Turning in, I finally let myself believe we were really on. She’s a star — I love her.”
The Cheltenham Festival has already entered the conversation, though Bramley wants to keep her mare at Listed level for now. Plans point towards the Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares’ Chase at Doncaster on December 29th — the next stepping stone in a campaign that is gathering pace and admiration.
“It was always Market Rasen, then Doncaster if today went right — and it really did,” Bramley added. “I’m still learning as a trainer, still finding my feet, but she makes the journey easier.”
C’Est Different continues upward curve in Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle
Dylan Johnston is convinced the best is still ahead of C’Est Different, who returned from his summer break looking sharper, stronger and more straightforward than last season. Stepping up to two miles and seven furlongs for the first time, he seized control on the turn for home and stretched clear to win by eight and a half lengths from Tranquil Sea. Lavida Adiva briefly threatened to make it a duel, but the winner found another gear after the last and sprinted away with assurance.
“He’s grown up,” Johnston reflected. “Last year he was still putting the pieces together — now he feels more complete. In a stronger race with a faster pace, he could improve again.”
A Cheltenham Festival run in the Pertemps Final remains a distant but enticing possibility, but for now connections are content to let his development continue naturally.
Brixson breaks through with polished Novices’ Hurdle success
Owners Tom Ford and Robert Peters celebrated more than one victory when Brixson landed the Pertemps Network ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle. Not only did the five-year-old secure his first win for trainers Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith, he also became the fourth individual winner from mare Brixen — a family line the owners have nurtured carefully in Ireland.
Ridden confidently by Gavin Sheehan, Brixson travelled like the best horse throughout and powered clear for a seven-length verdict, setting the tone for Sheehan’s double on the day.
Ford said: “We knew we had a strong chance. The mare keeps producing winners, and keeping her in Ireland has worked beautifully. We’ll look for another race of this type next.”
Sheehan later completed his brace aboard Seasmoke in the handicap chase, while champion jockey Sean Bowen extended his relentless run of success with wins on Moore Brion in the Open NH Flat Race and earlier on Lelant in the novices’ handicap chase.
Market Rasen felt the rumble of momentum — rising horses, returning champions, and trainers beginning to dream bigger.
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