'I dont know whether that was judgement or a miracle,' was how trainer Noel Meade described the ride Paul Carberry gave Deep Return to win the featured novice hurdle at Sligo yesterday.
Coming from an impossible position on the final circuit, the 4/5 market-leader led after the last and ultimately had a comfortable six lengths in hand at the finish.
Carberry admitted that pulling up had crossed his mind and in truth the win can be attributed to those in front stopping, a very slow time of over five minutes being recorded.
Tipperary handler Stephen Ryan and rider Larry Hurley combined to take the handicap chase at Gowran on Wednesday and they repeated the dose with Castle Hope in the mares maiden hurdle.
Hurley doubled his score in the following two and a half mile handicap hurdle, Leslie Youngs Sondheim showing deep reserves of stamina to hold the rallying Nickels N Dimes by three parts of a length.
'I didnt know the way to the winners enclosure,' was the immediate response of Syl Kirk after hed had a welcome change of luck when 12/1 shot, King Tiger took the two mile maiden hurdle.
'He jumped well and we thought wed get a place without beating the favourite,' added Kirk. Successful rider Johnny Levins lost the right to claim the 7Ibs in the process.
Bidding to defy a 6Ib penalty for a Thursday Tipperary win, 11/10 jolly, Rocksham petered out quickly after three out, pulling up before the next in the two mile handicap hurdle.
Puff Of Magic representing the Edward OGrady/Barry Geraghty alliance travelled well to the straight and overcame a last flight mistake to triumph by five lengths.
Despite drifting in the betting, the Francis Flood-trained newcomer Little Theatre took the first of two pro-am bumpers under 7Ib claiming professional Paddy Flood.
A day that seemed to hold realistic hopes of saddling a treble, ended on the right note for Eamonn Sheehy as his Jusified did just that as even money favourite under Michael Darcy.
