Impressive Four-Year-Old Kicks Off Double For Westerner

Air Of Entitlement (4m Westerner - Carrigeen Karaka, by Stowaway) ran out an impressive winner of the four-year-old mares’ maiden at Lingstown to kick off a smart double for Westerner on Saturday.

Third on debut last month, Colin Bowe’s representative was sent off favourite under Barry O’Neill and tracked the leaders for much of the way. She took closer order from four out and improved to lead after the next. Clear before the final fence, she kept on well to win by 16 lengths unchallenged.

Air Of Entitlement is owned by Brian Acheson and was bought by Mags O’Toole as a store for 90,000gns. The daughter of Westerner was bred by Mrs R.H. Lalor out of a homebred half-sister to Rogue Angel.

Shortly after at Fairyhouse, the Henry de Bromhead-trained Waterford Whispers (5g Westerner - Tara Belle, by Kayf Tara) took the Rated Novice Hurdle to make it two from two this season.

The JP McManus-owned bay justified strong support in a maiden hurdle at Galways and stepped up to two and a half miles on Saturday. Held up by Mark Walsh, he improved to race in touch from four out and was pushed along approaching the second last. Ridden from the final flight, he kept on well to lead in the final 110 yards and went on to win by a length and three quarters.

Speaking after the race, racing manager Frank Berry said, “It was a good performance and he quickened up well at the back of the last. He's a big lad that will jump a fence in time. You'd be very pleased with him.”

The progressive son of Westerner is the first foal bred by Mrs Norah Ahern out of the unraced mare Tara Belle.