Western Diego has the measure of Shoot The Blues© Photo Healy Racing
Western Diego (11/8f) powered clear of Shoot The Blues on the run-in of the SBK Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse to give Willie Mullins and Brian Hayes a double on the card.
He brought up an across-the card four-timer for Mullins as Capodanno (in Cheltenham) and Ashroe Diamond (at Doncaster) also did the business in addition to Jade De Grugy at Fairyhouse.
Western Diego led Shoot The Blues over the last two flights and, despite being less than fluent at the last, finished full of running to put Shoot The Blues (7/2) away by seven lengths. There was a 14-length gap back to third-placer Undeniable Alibi (16/5).
Assistant trainer David Casey said: “He was good, he did it well. He's a keen-going sort and he would have improved plenty for his first run.
“Brian said he was still gnawing at him there, but he did it well. He won a two-three bumper so he was always going to stay but, if he just helps himself, he'll stay better.
“He did settle better today with the run under his belt. He's going the right direction anyway.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
