The West Awaits wins in good style© Photo Healy Racing
The West Awaits routed the opposition in what looked on paper a competitive mares' novices' hurdle in Punchestown.
The 2/1 favourite tanked into the lead two out from Dreamingandhoping and readily forged clear approaching the straight.
The race was put to bed as she drew further clear and jumped the last to come in by an impressive 13 lengths. Wat Ua Doin was the horse to come in a remote second at 9/2.
This gave Willie Mullins and Brian a double on the card and the jockey said: “I really like her. She’s from a great family and got black type the last day at Punchestown.
“That was very impressive today dropped in grade, and she seems to operate on that nicer ground which is great. She’s definitely one to look forward to.
“She’s big and is going to be a great leaper of a fence as well.”
The West Awaits got off the mark over flights at Cork in April before being beaten 16 lengths into third in a Listed mares' novices' hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.
Mullins and Hayes won the opener with Fan De Blues (1/1f).
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
