Western Run stylishly sheds his maiden tag

Western Run (10/11 favourite) gained a well deserved success when stylishly landing the Charles Caldwell Memorial Maiden Hurdle at Downpatrick. Marmolata put the pace to this extended two and a quarter miler in a clear lead from the front, but placed on all previous five outings Western Run always looked in his comfort zone under Johnny Moore.

The North Star Syndicate-owned Westerner gelding led at the last, soon leaving Escort’namix and the rest in his wake, thirteen lengths being the winning margin at the line.

Winning trainer Gavin Cromwell said: “It was a pity not to win a bumper with him. Joey Dunne was riding him in bumpers and he didn’t do anything wrong, he was just unfortunate and kept running into one.

“The day he got beat in Kilbeggan the winner went on to win in Galway. It was just one of those things.

“Delighted he got his head in front, he deserved that.

“Yes, absolutely (he is made for hurdles) - he was a little bit keen in a couple of his bumpers.

“We’ll see what the handicapper does, he maybe could go for a rated novice.”

(MG & EM)