Westerner Mare Rewards Connections Over Hurdles

Irish point-to-point winner Copper Gone West (6m Westerner - Copper Dusht, by Dushyantor) bounced back to form to win the maiden hurdle at Musselburgh on Wednesday.

Second on her hurdle debut in December, the Paul and Louise Bowtell-owned mare was sent off second favourite and was ridden to chase the leaders by Alan Johns. Racing into second with three hurdles left to jump, she asserted at the second last and ran home strongly to beat the favourite, Poperinghe Ginger, by four and a half lengths.

Copper Gone West was purchased by trainer Tim Vaughan and Select Racing Bloodstock for £100,000 following her impressive point-to-point debut for handler and breeder Terence O’Brien.