Westerner Lady poised for Thurles test

Westerner Lady goes for Grade Two honours in Thursday's Champs Elysees Coolmore National Hunt Sires European Breeders Fund Mares Novice Chase at Thurles.

Willie Mullins' seven-year-old has won four of her five starts over fences, including twice in Grade Three company, with her only defeat coming at Cork behind Alpha Des Obeaux when Ruby Walsh felt she had an excuse.

"Westerner Lady hasn't done a whole lot wrong," he told Racing UK.

"She just made a bad mistake the day Alpha Des Obeaux beat her, but other than that she's been pretty much foot-perfect." Keppols Queen represents Jessica Harrington having been no match for Westerner Lady's stablemate Benie Des Dieux at Limerick.

"She came back with a nasty cut and the ground was very sticky at Limerick," said Harrington.

"I'm happy to just put a line right through that run.

"We're chasing some more black type with her."