Son Of Westerner Not For Catching In Bumper

Go West (5g Westerner - Topathistle, by Broadway Flyer) gained a deserved maiden victory when making all to win Thursday’s bumper at Wincanton.

The son of Westerner finished a close second on his sole start in a point-to-point for Liam Kenny and went on to claim runners-up honours on his first two starts for Paul Nicholls. Sent off favourite to go one better on Thursday, he was ridden to make all by Harry Cobden and began to pick up the pace from three furlongs out. Pushed along from the two furlong marker, he was ridden clear approaching the final furlong and was eased down close home to score by three lengths. Bentley’s Return (Mahler) completed a 1-2 for Coolmore NH sires.

“Go West isn't really a bumper horse,” Nicholls explained after the race. “I didn't want to go novice hurdling this season. We could give him another run, but he'll be hurdling in the autumn and the rain was ideal for him because it put a bit of emphasis on stamina.”

Bred by Robert Prendergast, Go West carries the colours of Owners Group 107.