Racing: Reveley's Marello is retired to the paddocks

THE HIGH-CLASS staying hurdler Marello has been retired after a career over jumps that yielded 11 successes from 15 races and pounds 85,633 in win and place prize-money..

Trained throughout her career by Mary Reveley, Marello gained her last victory in the Grade Two West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby 12 months ago and has not raced since being pulled up at Punchestown at the end of April.

"Marello is going to stud," Reveley said. "She knocked herself the other day and the season would be over by the time we got her back.

"She will be going in one piece and that's a great thing. We had some great moments with her and we will miss her. She's been a great servant and will be very hard to replace."

n Old Hush Wing completed back-to-back successes in the Sanyo Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield yesterday but only after the racecourse stewards had enjoyed their say. Birkdale had led the field round at a lethargic pace for most of the extended 21-furlong trip before the race developed into a sprint as they turned for home, all five runners being in with a shout. When Once More For Luck stumbled on landing after the last flight, the race was left between Eponine and Old Hush Wing and, after a battle up the run-in, it was the former who got up by a short-head. But the stewards ruled that Eponine had interfered with his rival close home and reversed the placings, handing the conditional jockey Peter Ryan a one-day ban for careless riding.