Daughter Of Westerner Goes One Better Over Hurdles

Ooh Betty (5m Westerner - On The Prairie, by Definite Article) took another step forward on Tuesday to get off the mark under rules in the Mares’ Maiden Hurdle at Ludlow.

The Ben Clarke-trained bay was beaten just a neck last time out and stepped up to two miles and five furlongs on her return to mares-only company. Sent off favourite under Brian Hughes, she raced in midfield for much of the way and began to improve before three out. Shaken up to lead before the second last, she boasted a clear advantage at the final flight and ran on well to score by five and a half lengths.

Owned by Butler, Langford, Paterson and Tory, Ooh Betty has won or been placed on four of her six starts under rules. Bred by Hannah Cashman, the daughter of Westerner previously won a four-year-old mares’ maiden at Bartlemy for John Hanlon.