Drama aplenty as West finally comes good

There was no shortage of incident in the 19 Euro Silver Package Handicap Hurdle at Gowran. Those happiest when all was said and done in the two and a half miler were Liam Burke and Danny Mullins after Coolbane West (25/1) shed his maiden tag on start number fourteen.

There were heavy fallers at the closing couple of flights, when two horses that were in with every chance at the time, departed the scene. See Me Here and Donagh Meyler crashed out two out, whilst at the final obstacle it was Call Vinnie and Conor Brassil that came to grief.

Liam Burke's son Jonathan had come a cropper in the opening race off Sizing Julie necessitating his standing down for the day. He had been due to partner Coolbane West, but in-form Danny Mullins stepped into the breach for the three length win over Catcheragain

Cheek-pieces were added to the hood that the William MacDonald-owned Coolbane West has been wearing in recent times, for this win.

"It's tough on Johnny but I'm thankful for picking up the ride. It was a good effort by Liam to get a tricky horse like that to win a race," said Mullins.

"Things are going really well at the moment, and already it's my best total of jumps winners in a season. I'm riding everything I can. All the trainers are doing their job and all I have to do is steer."

J J Slevin (back injury, took a spill from Ash Rowe and Conor Brassil (collarbone) are both under examination after falls here.

(AM & EM)