TRAINER Tom Weston upset the odds as Western Climate won the two-mile, three furlong novice hurdle at Hereford yesterday.

A previous fine third behind the well thought of Grade One winner Finians Oscar at Hereford last time out, the former point to pointer Western Climate was well supported down to 7/2 second favourite.

Ridden confidently by jockey Sean Bowen, he was challenged by both Gayebury and Bob Mahler between the last hurdles.

Bowen had kept a little up his sleeve and his mount kept on well in the heavy ground to repel both challenges and record his trainer's eighth winner of the season.

"There was nothing like Finians Oscar in that one," said Weston.

"He goes on this ground but we’ll see what the handicapper does as he might go into a handicap now rather than another novice."

The meeting opened with a win for favourite Late Shipment, trained by Pandy based trainer Nikki Evans, in the ten runner conditional jockeys extended three mile handicap hurdle.

What looked a competitive event at the third last hurdle was turned into a procession as Jordan Williams kicked Late Shipment into the lead at the penultimate hurdle and they soon swept into a 15-length lead which they kept to the line.

Evans confirmed that the heavy ground conditions were just what her horse wanted.

"Earlier in the week the owner was unsure that heavy ground would suit but I was positive that he’d be ok and he’s done it well," she said.

The runners in the extended three mile Novices handicap chase understandably went a steady pace in the ground conditions and at the third last fence three of the six runners were still in with a chance.

But at the final fence the race only lay between the duo of Wild West Wind and The Bay Oak.

Jockey Adrian Heskin, aboard Wild West wind held his mount until the final moments on the run-in before producing him to challenge.

And they quickened past the Dan Skelton ridden The Bay Oak to score in a progressive manner.

"Adrian didn’t want to do more than he had to but he’s a lovely staying chaser in the making," said trainer Tom George.

Only five runners went to post in the concluding bumper and the odds-on favourite Tikkanbar led the field throughout under Tom Scudamore and he gradually increased the tempo throughout the race and quickened as the runners turned into the straight to record a smooth success in the style of a progressive horse.