Western confirms Promise off nice mark

Western Promise took advantage of a nice mark over hurdles to land the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Thurles.

A second winner this week for Ballinasloe-based Shane Ryder, also successful with Halls Bridge at Wexford on Tuesday, the well-backed 2/1 favourite took control early in the straight.

Kevin Sexton kept the eight-year-old, a half-brother to Cheltenham Festival winner Hunt Ball, up to his work on the run-in to maintain a two-length verdict over Pocketfullapennies Sharekan was a further four and a half lengths away in third, with Ancient Highway completing the placings in fourth.

Western Promise, successful twice over fences in 2012, showed promise after a long lay-off at Clonmel last month.

Ryder said, "He is nice and progressive and seems to have turned a corner since I put blinkers on him.

"He had 10 or 15 runs before I got him and looked moderate but he wants a trip and it took me a while to figure him out.

"He'll go for something similar next, maybe before Christmas and depending on how he comes out of this."

Ryder added "I've had my restricted license a few years but am not based in the best location, a place called Lawrencetown, near Ballinasloe. I could do with a few more horses."

(TW & AM)