Son Of Westerner Takes Novice Chase On Return

The Fergal O’Brien-trained Ballyhome (9g Westerner - Nostra, by Limnos) made a winning racecourse return in Friday’s Betway Novices’ Chase at Market Rasen.

Last seen finishing a decent fourth in the Paddy Power Silver Plate in March, the point-to-point and three-time hurdle winner was sent off joint-favourite on return. Connor Brace rode him to track the leader, asking him to quicken from three out and improved to lead from the second last. Keeping on well under pressure on the run-in, he won by three lengths and three quarters, going away.

Speaking after the race, the winning trainer said, “The trip, track and ground were ideal for Ballyhome and there should be a nice chase in him.”

Owned by A&K Ecofilm Ltd, Ballyhome was bred by J Mangan out of Nostra, herself a prolific winner under both codes in France.