Host Of Smart Prospects Emerge For Westerner

Mr Incredible (5g Westerner - Bartlemy Bell, by Kalanisi) kicked off a fine weekend for Castlehyde Stud sire Westerner when making a winning chase debut at Naas on Saturday.

Runner-up on his sole start for Colin Bowe, the Richard Lynch-bred bay ran out a smart winner of his maiden hurdle for Henry de Bromhead in January and was sent off favourite on his seasonal return. Racing towards the back of the field under Rachael Blackmore, he began to improve from four out and was ridden approaching the final fence. Running on strongly, he went on to score by two and a quarter lengths, going away.

“Mr Incredible picked up really well from the second last,” De Bromhead later commented. “You would imagine that he will be a real stayer, we will keep finding out.” Now owned by Stephen McCarthy, Mr Incredible sold for €75,000 as a three-year-old.

Later that afternoon at Kelso, point-to-point winner Donny Boy (5g Westerner - Lady Roania, by Saddlers’ Hall) ran out an impressive winner of the bumper for Nick Alexander.

Successful on debut in a four-year-old maiden at Dromahane, the bay was sent off favourite on his rules debut and looked the likely winner approaching the final furlong. Drawing clear under Conor O’Farrell, he won by 14 lengths with ease.

Owned by Mrs Lynne Maclennan, the exciting prospect was bred by Mrs Karen McLoughney.

Bombs Away (5g Westerner - Miss Greinton, by Greinton) also shaped like a smart prospect when landing Sunday’s maiden hurdle at Sandown.

Second on his only previous start in a bumper, Olly Murphy’s charge was well-supported on his first start over hurdles and was given a patient ride by Aidan Coleman. Ridden from the penultimate flight, he soon led and ran on well to win by four and a quarter lengths.

Murphy was very encouraging after the race, saying, “He's shown me a lot at home. My novices are my strong point this year and he'll be right up there with them.”

Owned by Mrs John Magnier, Mrs MV Magnier, Mr JP Magnier and Mrs P Shanahan, Bombs Away cost connections €90,000 as a three-year-old. The full-brother to Grade 1 hurdler Ribble Valley (Westerner) was bred by Pat and Oliver McCarthy.