Westerner flying ahead of Gold Cup

Crack French stayer Westerner has been given a glowing reference by trainer Elie Lellouche ahead of his bid to land the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot at York next week.

Unbeaten in his last five outings, all at Group level, the six-year-old was only beaten a length and a half by Papineau in last year’s premier stayers’ event after finding himself in front a shade too early.