Son Of Westerner Delivers On Hurdles Bow

Point-to-point winner Top Target (4g Westerner - New Targets, by Presenting) made a promising start over hurdles when taking Saturday’s Novices’ Hurdle at Wetherby.

A wide margin maiden winner for Chris Barber in March, the son of Westerner finished second in a bumper on his first start for Kim Bailey in October and was sent off second favourite at the weekend. Stepping up to two miles and five furlongs, he raced prominently under Ciaran Gethings and was shaken up at the second last. Pushed along from the final flight, he was ridden out on the run-in to score by three and a half lengths comfortably.

Top Target is owned by J Perriss and was bred by Joseph Smiddy out of New Targets, who has a yearling by Capri.