Westover vindicates faith of his backers but human drama takes over headlines

If I had a pound for every 'unlucky in running' horse who got beat when well fancied next time out, I would be making an offer for Westover instead of writing about him. Happily, he now belongs in the smaller group of horses who, having been mullered, absolutely dotted up the next time.

He won Saturday's Irish Derby by seven lengths, the biggest winning margin for 15 years, and anyone who backed him assertively was given very little to worry about once the stalls opened. Westover settled nicely behind French Claim, worked his way to the front soon after the home turn and was strong all the way to the line.

Tuesday, the only one who was backed against him, gave him quite a big start and then had trouble getting a clear run. She was a one-paced fourth behind Piz Badile and French Claim, the placed horses having been in the first three positions throughout.