Smart Hurdler Leads Home 1-2 For Westerner

Friday saw Western Zephyr (6g Westerner - Beneficial Breeze, by Beneficial) justify favouritism in the Novices' Hurdle at Huntingdon to make it two from three this season.

Impressive on his sole point-to-point start for Francesca Poste, the son of Westerner went on to make a successful bumper debut for Charlie Longsdon and made a winning return to action on his hurdle bow. Third last time out, he was reunited with Sean Bowen on his latest start and led from an early stage in the two mile contest. Shaken up at the second last, he was ridden on the run-in and ran on well to beat Welsh Charger (Westerner) by two and a quarter lengths, with the pair finishing nine lengths clear of the third.

Owned by the Swanee River Partnership, Western Zephyr has now won four of his six career starts. The son of in-form sire Westerner was bred by Longrove Stud out of Beneficial Breeze, who has a four-year-old gelding by Milan.