Listed Winner Completes Fine Weekend For Westerner

Cool Survivor (5g Westerner - Pale Face, by High Chaparral) made it two from two over hurdles when justifying favouritism in the Listed Novice Hurdle at Cork on Sunday.

Successful in a Punchestown maiden hurdle last month, Gordon Elliott’s charge stepped up to three miles at the weekend and was ridden to make all by Jack Kennedy. Ridden approaching the second last, he kept on strongly from the final flight to win by two lengths. Runner-up Granny Lowrie (Fame And Glory) finished 21 lengths clear of the field.

Cool Survivor was bought by Elliott for £175,000 after winning a four-year-old maiden on debut for Cormac Doyle. Now owned by Gigginstown House Stud, the son of Westerner was bred by Mr JP Finlay.

Castlehyde Stud sire Westerner also sired a double the previous day, beginning with the improving West Of Carrig (5g Westerner - Pollywollydoodle) taking the five-year-old maiden at Lisronagh.

Partnered by Brian Lawless on his third start, Peter Croke’s charge disputed the running for much of the way and went on to score by two and a half lengths. Owned and bred by Maurice Sheehy, the progressive five-year-old may now be sold.

Later that day at Wincanton, Big Jim Beam (6g Westerner - Brighid, by Hawk Wing) ran out a commanding winner of the bumper on his first start under rules.

The son of Westerner showed promise for Rob James before joining the Warren Greatrex yard, where he is owned by Clemmie Shipp and the late Mrs Jean Shipp. The bay made all of the running on Saturday and began to draw clear from three furlongs out. Pushed along approaching the final furlong, he was never challenged and kept on to win by five and a half lengths under Brendan Powell.