Son comes of age at Punchestown

The Castle Hyde Stud stallion Westerner, responsible for the winner of the 2.45 with Gilgamboa was on the mark again half an hour later with Westerners Son who left behind his previous form to take the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle in style under Conor Walsh at Punchestown.

Not completely ignored in the betting, dropped in the handicap ratings and making his first appearance for Dermot McLoughlin having raced as recently as December 15th for Paul Nolan, Westerners Son eclipsed Getoutwhenyoucan by an unflattering eight and a half lengths.

McLoughlin explained: "I haven't got him too long – about ten or twelve days. He ran well at Navan the last day and we decided to put him in again.

"He's progressive and the change of scenery may have helped." (AM & EM)