Westener on top as market leaders flop The Westener Boy ran out an impressive winner of the beginners chase at Navan as he eclipsed hotpot Marasonnien. The race looked a match on paper between Ipsos Du Berlais and Marasonnien with the later proving the one for money. Willie Mullins charge was backed from 5/4 this morning into 8/13 and was sent off 4/6 favourite on track. The French-bred didn't jump particularly well early on but hit the front before the third last. He was tracked through by The Westener Boy, however, who claimed the lead at the penultimate fence. The favourite found disappointly little as Colm Murphy's charge went clear in the JP McManus colours to record an easy 25-length success. Ipsos Du Berlais was easy to back (5/4 in morning returned 2/1 on track) and was soon rear and struggling. Davy Russell pulled him up. The winner had been placed on his two previous starts over fences and clearly relished the step up to three miles today. "Mark (Walsh) said he loved the conditions and he jumped away well," said racing manager Frank Berry. "We'll find a winner's race for him somewhere. He appreciated the trip and the ground." (Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
