Westerner toughs it out in opener

Westerner Point produced a game front-running performance to claim the opening rated chase at Thurles this afternoon.

Brian O'Connell cut out the running on the 2/1 shot (11/4 this morning) but he came under strong pressure turning for home as Shadow Catcher challenged. Draycott Place joined the pair two from home, only to crash out, and easy to back 13/8 favourite Realt Mor was under pressure in behind having survived a blunder four from home.

There was nothing between Westerner Point and Shadow Catcher going to the last but a mistake by the later left Eoghan O'Grady's charge in command on the run-in and he went on for a length-and-a-half win.

The winner had won his two previous outings over fences, before Christmas, and had been fourth behind Realt Mor over hurdles at this venue last month.

"We'll either go to Gowran on March 11th next with him or there's also a race at Leopardstown on March 5th - they're two handicaps,” said O'Grady.

"We've got great fun out of him and I'm delighted with him - if we got one more like that we'd be sorted! We'll keep going as long as it's heavy."

(Quotes by Thomas Weekes)