Twice victorious in handicap hurdles after arriving at the Ross O’Sullivan yard last winter, Western Sea today got off the mark over fences in the Brenda Anderson Memorial Beginners Chase at Sligo.

On outing number four over the larger obstacles, the Luke Dempsey-ridden winner made the breakthrough after just failing at Tramore last month.

The Westerner gelding cut out a lot of the running, and he foiled a gamble on Lord Schnapps (6/4 favourite from 2s on track, and much bigger earlier) by two lengths.

“He loved it and jumped great. A couple of times he was keen last year so we decided to drop him in to relax and he completely goes asleep," said O'Sullivan.

“When he’s ridden competitively like that he comes alive. We learned that the last day in Tramore where he just got beat, and we said we’d wait for this race as it’s his bracket for horses rated 109 or less (over hurdles).

“Hopefully he’ll give us a bit of fun over fences, and the fact that he won over 2m5f today means there are a few more options for him going a trip.

“I’m lucky to have Tommy Ward in the yard. He’s from Mountmellick and ever since he came to us he’s given the yard a great boost. Hopefully we’ll have a bit more luck for him.”

The Stewards interviewed D. Meyler, rider of First Class Return concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found the rider in breach of Reg.10.3.(g)(frequency) and having taken his record into account suspended him for 1 race day.

P.J. Cawley, rider of Boston Spray trained by D.J.Barry, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung right.

(AM & EM)