Western Zara draws clear on chasing debut

Western Zara made a lovely transition to fences in the opening mares' beginners' chase at Clonmel.

Paul Nolan 's six-year-old mare had a couple of victories over the smaller obstacles in her locker and went off 10/3 for this assignment.

Attritional ground took its toll as only three horses could go the pace - Razzle Dazzle Love Carrigeen Lotus and Western Zara.

Razzle Dazzle Love was first to crack before the fourth last where a slow jump saw her soon adrift of the front pair.

Carrigeen Lotus led from a tracking Western Zara and a much better jump three out by the latter saw her sail into the lead under Richie Deegan.

She asserted into the home straight and was clear jumping the penultimate fence. The grey Westerner mare jumped it a shade to the left but was still well in charge at the next.

It was slow-motion stuff for all the finishers as Western Zara was kept up to her work to come in by 11 lengths from well-backed favourite Carrigeen Lotus (5/4). Fort Worth Texas (9/1) was another five and a half lengths away in third.

Nolan said: "They went an unmerciful gallop! She was very good at home jumping-wise and she jumped great. She had lots of schooling done with Johnny Berry when she was a youngster and she seems to be better over a fence.

"It was a good effort in the ground for the pace they went - it was proper winter ground and she showed a great attitude.

"I was wanting a lead but Richie had one for as long as he could, and couldn't take her back.

"We're living in the present with her and that's why she went over fences now. Hopefully she will be a nice mare for fences for the season and she has won on nice ground over hurdles."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes