Exciting Son Of Westerner Completes Back To Back Wins

Wetlands (6g Westerner - Un Jour D Ete, by Dano-Mest) backed up an impressive winning performance in December by carrying a penalty to success at Newcastle on Saturday.

Successful in a bumper last season, the Nicky Richards-trained bay was placed on his first two starts over hurdles before winning a maiden hurdle by all of 28 lengths at Ayr. Sent off favourite to complete a double under Brian Hughes, he tracked the leaders for much of the two and a half mile novices’ hurdle and was ridden from two out. Digging deep to lead before the final flight, he raced clear on the run-in and kept on well to win by four lengths and three quarters.

A delighted Nicky Richards later described the winner as “a lovely horse, a proper Mr Hemmings horse.” A €55,000 store purchase by Highflyer Bloodstock, Wetlands was bred by Aidan McGoldrick.