Mortar too strong for Leblon Pestal And Mortar gained her first racecourse success when holding the late run of Leblon in the mares beginners chase at Wexford. Mark Bolger had sent his mount on at the third last fence and she soon had a few lengths lead. The Finbar Hand-trained mare was ridden entering the straight as 4/5 favourite Leblon came under pressure in fourth. The market leader worked her way into second at the last and stayed on on the run-in but could only get within a length-and-a-quarter of the 8/1 winner. Pestal And Mortar had won a point-to-point in January 2012 and showed some decent form over hurdles including when third on her return at Killarney a week ago. Today was her second start over fences and she had been well beaten on her previous outing at Roscommon last August. "I only have her since February. She was awkward to ride at first as she had done a lot of flat work," revealed Hand. "She done some good pieces of work and I sold a half share to the syndicate just a few weeks ago. She is very well handicapped over hurdles but I have no plans for her and I'll go home and have a look at the calendar. "She was overpriced today, she won her point-to-point first time out and that was only her second run for me today. She needs three miles and today was way too short for her, but Mark gave her a great ride out in front, and I'll be using him from now on. "I only have two in for the summer, it's hard to get horses."
