Four Year Olds Continue Fine Run For Westerner

The Four Sixes (4g Westerner - Lemon Cello, by Accordion) continued a fine run for Westerner on Thursday when making a winning hurdle debut at Clonmel.

Third on his only previous start in a bumper, the Gordon Elliott-trained bay was well-supported for the two mile maiden hurdle and was ridden to track the leaders by Davy Russell. Pushed along to challenge before two out, he was ridden when leading soon after. Running on well, he held the leader by a length and a half on the line.

Representing the winning team, Lisa O’Neill said, “He did it really nicely and Davy seemed really happy with him. It's great for the owners. They're good supporters of the yard and it's lovely for them to have another nice horse.”

Owned by the McNeill and Stone families, The Four Sixes was bred by Cathal Ennis and is a half-brother to black-type performer Flemencello (Flemensfirth).

At Warwick the previous day, Always Busy (4g Westerner - Davids Jewel, by King’s Theatre) delivered on his second start over hurdles for Christian Williams and owner George Moore.

Positioned in midfield by Jack Tudor, the bay made headway from four out and was pushed along to lead from the second last. Keeping on well on the run-in, he won by three and a quarter lengths from point-to-point winner Amrons Sage.

Bred by Tom Coughlan, the son of Westerner had shown promise on debut in September, when finishing second in a bumper. The £52,000 store purchase provides an important update for his yearling full-brother and two-year-old brother by Walk In The Park.