Dermot McLoughlin and Conor Maxwell received a timely boost ahead of Vics Canvas' Irish Grand National bid tomorrow, as Westerners Son landed the Munster Waste Management Handicap Hurdle at Cork today for the trainer/jockey.

McLoughlin, who won last November's Cork National at the venue with Vics Canvas, later stated "he (Westerners Son) is a genuine and hardy horse but I thought the ground would be softer than it actually was.

"We'll see what the handicapper does with him now but I'm also cautious about the ground as he is better when he gets into it.

By Tom Weekes