A disappointing turn out of just seven lined up for the feature race at Sligo this evening, the Guinness Sligo Handicap Hurdle, with Resolute Bay for his trainer Philip Fenton landing the spoils with Robert Jones in the saddle. Jacks Island led the field for most of the race with the winning son of Presenting always close up. He made a slight mistake at the third last but moved into the lead after the next.
He kept on from there and despite idling a bit on the run-in, he just done enough to score by a length and a quarter, fending off the renewed challenge of Jacks Island at 20/1 back in second.
The 6/4 favourite Uncle Junior was always up against it having to carry 11-10 and a mistake early on didn't help his chance. In the parade ring before the race he looked as if he might need the run.
On the other hand the 7/2 winner Resolute Bay, who at five is half the age of the Uncle Junior, looked a picture in the parade ring beforehand.
Carrying just 10-4, he was recording his fourth career win today having won a point-to-point at Lisronagh last year before winning his maiden hurdle at Downpatrick in May of this year and following up in a handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe also in May.
Winning trainer Philip Fenton said afterwards: "We freshened him up and took the blinkers off today. We thought he would eventually get sick of them.
"I said to Robert (Jones) not to be too hard on him as he had three quick runs earlier this season.
"He will go to Bellewstown next on August 18th."
Donal Murphy
