Western Promise gets over the last from Western Star at Listowel© Photo Healy Racing
His famous brother Hunt Ball has shown himself to be a hardy type at a higher level and though Western Promise is currently plying his trade in 0 to 102 company, the family trait of resolute performance came to the fore when he landed the Kerry Petroleum Handicap Chase at Listowel.
Always to the fore, a slow effort at the last from Western Promise gave a chink of light to supporters of the gambled-on joint market leader Western Star (both the 'Westerns' were returned at 6/1). However 'Promise' found more on the run-in to beat 'Star' by two lengths.
You don't see the seven minute barrier breached two often on the racecourse proper but this three miler took 7 minutes point six of a second to run. Nine of them pulled up whilst eight got around.
Young trainer Shane Ryder handles the Mark Enright-ridden winner and he said: "Mark gave him a great ride. He knows him well as he already won on him in Roscommon.
"He might have won on him too if he hadn't been suspended when he was second at Tramore.
"It's great to have a winner at the Festival, it's only my second ever runner here. I have ten in training.
"He's only six and he's impressive." (DM & EM)
