THERE’S no stopping the extended Fahey clan from sending out winners and James Fahey, based in Stradbally, Co Laois, notched the first double of his career at Sligo’s Ladies Day meeting on Thursday.

Glendars Mahler (11/2) got the ball rolling for Fahey in the Martin Reilly Hyundai (Mares) Maiden Hurdle, getting to the front from halfway and staying on well to defeat Air Drop by four lengths.

Winning rider Mark McDonagh said: “To be honest the lads said to take a lead but we were going no gallop and she was just travelling so well under me. At least once I let her get in front I could drop my hands and she got breathers the whole way around and, to be fair to her, she ground it out to the line.”

Second winner

McDonagh was also on board the second Fahey-trained winner which was 7/2 chance Hazelhatch Lady in the Kilcawley Construction Rated Novice Hurdle. The grey daughter of Doyen made all to beat another by the same sire, Presenting Doyen, by three-and-a-quarter lengths. Frank Reynolds owns and bred both of Fahey’s winners.

“It was similar to the other mare but the only thing was we were going to make the running on this one. I got an easy lead.

“She stays further, she won at Roscommon over two miles four, and I’d say she’ll be a nice chaser. I’m looking forward to riding her over a fence.”

Fahey added: “It’s the first time that Hazelhatch Lady has actually put two runs back to back and she’s a very, very good horse on her day when she puts her mind to it.”

Paris perfection from Emily

EMILY In Paris followed up her Killarney success from last month when running out an easy winner of the Lighthouse At Clifford Electrical Handicap Hurdle at Sligo under Michael O’Sullivan.

The Davy Fitzgerald-trained mare, sent off 11/2 co-favourite of three, led after the second-last and stayed on well to beat Junior Rattler by a length-and-three-quarters in the colours of Cathal McDaid.

Fitzgerald remarked: “I thought she’d win a bumper the way she worked and then all she seemed to do was get beaten, just staying, but Kevin Brouder rode her a bit of work after she won in Killarney and she worked super.

“He said you don’t need to go three miles with her. She’s not a bad filly, she’s out of a mare who won over a mile and a half on the flat and I might try her on the flat next year now that she has improved”

The Paul Flynn-trained Golden Sandbanks (15/2) bounced back to form to land the Apex Controls Ltd Handicap Hurdle for owners Aidan Gallagher, Fadhbarbith Unlimited Company and David G Walsh.

The six-year-old led from two out and was ridden out to beat Rockview Roman by two and three-quarter lengths.

Winning rider Sean Flanagan said: “I rode him in Cork only on Monday and had a lovely run around but, just when the race unfolded, he didn’t like it when there were so many horses around him.

“I’ve won on him here before and I said to Paul to run him again.

“He wears cheekpieces and is a bit of a boyo, he holds onto a bit for himself, so I’d say the run the other day probably brought him on a little bit and I’ve given him loads of room today.”

Millar finds Fizz over hurdles

ON an evening where it paid to be up with the pace, Fizzle Rock was another to make all the running when providing jockey Carl Millar with a first win over jumps in the Mulhern Leonard Chartered Accountants Maiden Hurdle.

Owned by Judith Long and the winner of a Down Royal bumper on her racecourse debut two years ago, the Nigel Slevin-trained daughter of Laverock appeared to have the measure of nearest pursuer Attaboyarchie when that one fell at the second last. From there, it was easy for Fizzle Rock who kept on well to win by eight and a half lengths from Sea Road Fill.

Millar said: “I’m from Blanchardstown and work full-time with Gordon Elliott and then I’m in with Nigel every evening. He’s been brilliant to me. You have to watch and learn and it seems to be suiting front-runners here this evening.

Nigel Slevin added: “She’s a homebred mare so we’ll keep her to breed from her. My grandfather had the breed and they’re a tough family, a joy to have. I won a point-to-point on the dam. Carl did well on her because she’s not simple to ride.”

Another mare from a good family to get on the scoresheet was I Am Shadow (5/1) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Mares) (Pro-Am) INH Flat Race. Harry Swan brought Sean Reilly’s daughter of Getaway from the rear of the field to lead entering the straight and she went on to beat Adela Icon by a length and a quarter.

Winning trainer Ciaran Murphy said: “This is a lovely mare from a great family with a very loyal and patient owner and I’m just delighted she’s gone and won a bumper.

“She had plenty of experience and she showed that today. She’ll go over hurdles at some stage and she’ll probably have a go on the Flat as well.”

Must Meet Cecil, trained by Cian Collins for Terry Sheridan, saw off a number of higher-rated opponents to run out a game winner of the opening Clayton Hotel Claiming Hurdle

The 11/1 chance was always to the fore and, having looked vulnerable before the last, found plenty under pressure to beat Conna Cottage by four and three-quarter lengths

Winning rider Danny Gilligan said: “He had lost his way a bit lately but to be fair to Cian, he fancied him going out and the first-time cheekpieces made a big difference, they really helped him.”