Western confirms Promise off nice mark Western Promise took advantage of a nice mark over hurdles to land the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Thurles. A second winner this week for Ballinasloe-based Shane Ryder, also successful with Halls Bridge at Wexford on Tuesday, the well-backed 2/1 favourite took control early in the straight. Kevin Sexton kept the eight-year-old, a half-brother to Cheltenham Festival winner Hunt Ball, up to his work on the run-in to maintain a two-length verdict over Pocketfullapennies. Sharekan was a further four and a half lengths away in third, with Ancient Highway completing the placings in fourth. Western Promise, successful twice over fences in 2012, showed promise after a long lay-off at Clonmel last month. Ryder said, "He is nice and progressive and seems to have turned a corner since I put blinkers on him. "He had 10 or 15 runs before I got him and looked moderate but he wants a trip and it took me a while to figure him out. "He'll go for something similar next, maybe before Christmas and depending on how he comes out of this." Ryder added "I've had my restricted license a few years but am not based in the best location, a place called Lawrencetown, near Ballinasloe. I could do with a few more horses." (TW & AM)
