Progressive Front Runner Completes Smart Westerner Double

The progressive Copper Nation (5m Westerner - Copper Destiny, by Dubai Destination) ran out an impressive winner on the mares’ maiden hurdle at Cork on Sunday.

Owned and trained by Donal Coffey, the daughter of Westerner won a four-year-old maiden on debut, before winning a bumper earlier this season and finished a close second on hurdle debut in January. Sent off second favourite under Darragh Allen, the bay led from the first flight and began to draw clear from three out, going on to score by all of 15 lengths.

Speaking after the race, the winning trainer’s son Seamus said, “It was a very impressive win and Darragh gave her a great ride. There's a mares' Listed hurdle in Killarney for her next.”

Copper Nation is the first foal bred by Ms Paula Coffey-Mulcahy out of Copper Destiny, herself a half-sister to black-type hurdler Copper Gone West (Westerner).

The Cormac Doyle-trained newcomer Yeah Man (5g Westerner - Baraza, by Kalanisi) completed a smart double on the day for Westerner when taking the five-year-old maiden at Loughanmore.

Ridden patiently by Jack Hendrick, the bay improved his position from three out and produced a challenge at the final fence. Soon in front, he kept on well to win by a length from Inis Oirr (Ocovango), with another three lengths back to Northern Edge (Ocovango) in third.

The promising five-year-old was bred by Brandon View Stud.