Westerner Mare Provides Connections With Quick Return

Skyace (5m Westerner - Graigace, by Milan) made a winning start for new connections when quickening clear in Friday’s Maiden Hurdle at Tipperary.

The daughter of Westerner was placed on all three of her starts in bumpers for Willie Mullins and was subsequently sold to John Joseph Hanlon, who now trains the bay for the Birdinthehand Syndicate. Racing over three miles, she was settled towards the back of the field by Jody McGarvey and improved into mid-division from halfway. Travelling well behind the leaders approaching the second last, she led from the final flight and raced clear to win by three lengths and three quarters, with the second finishing 11 lengths clear of the field.

Bred by Breandan Long, Skyace is the first foal out of Graigace (Milan) and comes from the family of Grade 1 chaser A Genie In Abottle.