GLORIOUS weather and a competitive eight-race card attracted a big crowd to Sligo’s second Sunday meeting of the year at which there were doubles for jockeys Sam Ewing and Danny Gilligan as well as trainers Cian Collins and Gordon Elliott.
Ewing completed his double when taking the featured Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle on the Peter Fahey-trained Gone For Tea (10/1).
Bouncing back to form after disappointing on handicap debut at Ballinrobe, the daughter of Champs Elysees headed favourite Instant Tendance after the last to score by three-quarters of a length.
Fahey said of Peter Murphy’s six-year-old: “On her last two runs she was a bit keen and getting her switched off was a big help.
“If she got a couple of pounds, hopefully she’d get into the mares’ handicap hurdle at Galway. We love going to Galway and myself and my wife Ber stay down for the week and enjoy it.”
Maiden winner
Mordor provided Ewing with his first winner when easily landing odds of 2/5 in the four-year-old maiden hurdle.
Prominent from the outset, the Gordon Elliott-trained winner led after the third last to beat Leitzel by 14 lengths
Ewing said: “He’ll probably be a nicer horse over further, that’s the kind of feeling I get off him anyway. Ray Stokes (owner) has been good to me and it’s nice to get another one on the board for him too.”
GORDON Elliott’s second winner was Ankud (7/2) who defied top-weight of 12st to land the Friends of Brian Mulligan Opportunity Handicap Hurdle under Danny Gilligan.
Owned by Gigginstown House Stud, the son of Nathaniel went on before the second last to beat Golden Sandbanks by a length and three-quarters.
Gilligan said: “He was in front plenty soon on his own. I wouldn’t say he’s slow, and two miles is a good trip for him, but I’d say he’s versatile enough, and the way he races I’d say he’d go two and a half (miles) as well.
“I broke my wrist about five weeks ago so it’s great to be back and get the ball rolling again. I live with Sam (Ewing) so we’ll enjoy watching the replays tonight!”
Gilligan had earlier guided Torquay Road (9/2) to victory in the CT Electrical Maiden Hurdle.
The No Risk At All gelding, who had shown promise in bumpers for Peter Flood, led on the run to the final flight to beat Bobbi Gin Tree by two and a half lengths.
The five-year-old is now trained by Cian Collins who said: “The owner Kevin McConnell is a friend of Denis O’Regan who rode this horse work before we bought him and liked him.
“He had been jumping very well at home and might go to Galway for a novice hurdle”
Collins double
Collins, who trains near Navan, secured his own brace when market drifter Steps In The Sand (7/1) took the first division of the Kilcawley Construction Handicap Hurdle in the hands of Eoin Walsh.
The five-year-old, owned by the Zoom Buddies Syndicate, led after the second-last to beat Craic Eile by two and a half lengths
Collins remarked: “It’s my first double, we’ve had a few chances for doubles before but they never came off, so I’m delighted to get it.
“I thought this longer trip (two and a half miles) would definitely suit her. She’ll probably go back to the flat too and we’ll mix it with her. Eoin comes into me a day a week and is a very good rider.”
USEFUL flat stayer La Hacienda (11/2) gained her first win over jumps when readily landing the second division of the 80-95 handicap hurdle.
The daughter of Free Eagle came from mid-division under James Smith to lead at the second last and went away to beat Divilabother by nine and a half lengths.
Matt Smith, father of the winning rider, trains the German-bred for the ABD Syndicate, and said: “She’s won at Galway on the flat so we might head there with her.
“I’m not sure about three miles, she’s not slow and travels very strongly, so this kind of trip is probably about right for her.”
Trainer Charles, owner Cathal and jockey Philip Byrnes combined to win the Sligo Park Hotel Handicap Hurdle with I Am Spider Man (4/1) who followed up a recent course victory when staying on best from off the pace.
The Walk In The Park gelding headed Sphagnum at the last and went away to account for that rival by a length and a quarter.
Rider Byrnes said: “I was fairly hopeful he’d get this trip (three miles and a furlong) and I actually thought two miles four might be too sharp for him before he won here the last day. He was good and game for me after the last and we’re happy to get another win with him.
“It’s three hours from our door but we love coming here and call it our local track!”
First win
The Barry Connell-trained Apple’s Of Bresil (5/2) recorded the first win of his career when taking the Durkin Bros. Electrical INH Flat Race under Finny Maguire.
The grey was pushed along in fifth two furlongs out but came with a strong late run to collar Wild Mandate close home for a three-quarters of a length success.
Connell said: “He has very, very good winter form but is not really a bumper horse. He hasn’t run for a while so it was a good performance.
“He’ll go to Galway for a maiden hurdle, probably the one on the Saturday, but he’ll be entered for another one as well.Finny works for me and is a great asset to the yard. I’m delighted for his co-owner Tim O’Driscoll as well.”