WESTERNER Lady’s quiet yet unrelenting progress through the ranks continued apace as she battled hard to land the €80,000 Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle, which came to Willie Mullins for the third time in the last four years.

A successful comeback at Killarney saw the Anthony Butler-owned mare hit with an 11lb rise in the ratings and this race represented a definite step up grade but she improved yet again with a commendably brave display. Now a winner of five of her last six outings, this particularly assured jumper was sent off the 3/1 favourite for this two and three-quarter miles contest and she was prominently placed throughout.