The Big Westerner back with a bang at Wexford
Henry de Bromhead’s mare had been off the track since December.
The Big Westerner made a faultless seasonal return to action when enhancing Henry de Bromhead’s fine record in the feature Michael Hickey Memorial Chase at Wexford.
The Knockeen handler has won the Listed event with the likes of Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Minella Indo (2020), Eklat De Rire (2021) and Ryanair Chase champion Heart Wood (2024) and could have another serious chasing prospect on his hands after the seven-year-old justified heavy 1-3 favouritism.
A Grade Two-winning hurdler who was second in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival in 2025, her novice chase season was limited to just the two appearances and she was last seen winning the Grade Two Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase at Limerick last Christmas.
Off for 312 days, she showed no rustiness as Darragh O’Keeffe sent her to the front where she proved foot perfect, easily accounting for her three rivals and seeing off the only one to get close, Mouse Morris’ Bossofthebrownies, with the minimum of fuss by 15 lengths.
De Bromhead said: “I’m delighted with that and Darragh was really happy with her.
“She jumped great, did everything right and looked to really enjoy herself. It’s nice to get her season started.
“I haven’t really thought beyond today. She’s in the Betfair Chase but it feels like it could be too soon.
“I probably regretted training her for Cheltenham last year then we get there and the ground is too good.
“I’d say we’ll do more on softer ground this year and see where we are. We won’t be so Cheltenham focussed.”
The Big Westerner’s success brought up a double on the card for De Bromhead, O’Keefe and owners Coolmara Stables Limited after £400,000 buy Palinca (1.3 favourite) impressed on debut in the Racing TV Free Trial For A Month Maiden Hurdle with a bloodless 11-length victory.
De Bromhead said: “Everyone was liking her at home and she was well recommended after her point-to-point. The Marigas bought her at Cheltenham.
“It’s nice to see her go and do on the track what we’d been seeing at home. Sometimes that doesn’t happen, so it’s nice to see. She’s an exciting mare for us.”