Westerner Listed bumper winner is “bit of a star”

Ascot’s Listed National Hunt Flat race on Friday looked beforehand to be the best bumper run so far this season and it produced a hugely-impressive winner in Western Ryder (4g Westerner-Seesea, by Dr Massini).

The son of Westerner came home two lengths clear of the field with a string of previous winners trailing in his wake.

Trainer Warren Greatrex holds the winner, who was bred by Longrove Stud, in the highest regard and future targets could include the G1 championship bumpers at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals. "He is a proper horse. He could be a bit of a star. He doesn't show a lot at home, but every now and then you get glimpses of what is there,” said Greatrex. "He will stay in bumpers. Whether he goes to Cheltenham, I'm not sure. There are other places and I quite like Punchestown."