Son Of Westerner Proves Far Too Good At Sligo

The Little Yank (6g Westerner - Long Walk Home, by Presenting) continued a fruitful run on Thursday when running out an impressive winner of the Rated Novice Hurdle at Sligo.

A winner last month, the John Ryan-trained bay had been placed on five occasions this summer and was last seen claiming third at the Galway Festival. Sent off the even-money favourite for Thursday’s two mile and two furlong contest, he chased the leaders under Shane Fitzgerald and made headway from four out. Asserting with ease after the penultimate flight, he soon went clear and scored by eight and a half lengths on the line.

“That was only a piece of work for him!” the winning trainer later commented. “Shane (Fitzgerald) said he never came off the bridle.” On future plans he added, “I'm thinking about a big handicap for him, maybe at Listowel.”

Successful in two bumpers as a four-year-old, The Little Yank also rewarded breeders Patrick and Morgan Cahalan with black-type over hurdles last season.