Reigning champion Ruby Walsh narrowed the gap to three behind Paul Carberry in the National Hunt jockeys championship when partnering a 5/1 double aboard Soviet Blues and Henry's Girlie at Sligo yesterday.
Soviet Blues was installed the 1/2 favourite for the opening Yeats Maiden Hurdle, and punters had few worries as the Frances Crowley-trained gelding smoothly struck the front in the straight to beat Best Wait by five lengths.
Henry's Girlie, trained locally by permit-holder Fintan Feeney, received a rousing reception on returning to the winner's enclosure after leading two out to beat Culmore Native by four lengths in the Strandhill Maiden Hurdle.
'I took out a permit in February 2000, and this mare provided me with my only previous win in a bumper at Mallow last October. She may go for a handicap hurdle at Galway next month', said Feeney, who trains on the beach at Enniscrone and is a former Sligo County footballer.
There was another local success in the six furlongs August Handicap where the Seamus Heffernan-ridden Daisy Dancer, trained at Strandhill by Michael McElhone, led before the home turn to beat The Bower by two lengths.
Soldiered Again, sporting the colours of J P McManus, headed the pace-setting Enoughrose before the last to score by four and a half lengths for Paul Moloney in the Londis Handicap Hurdle. 'He would prefer better ground, and I will find another handicap for him', said trainer Niall Madden.
Sri recorded her second victory here this year when heading Emma O inside the final furlong for a length and a half success in the Tattersalls Ireland 2YO Race. 'Sri has now won over 17 thousand pounds in win and place prize-money. That's what racing in Ireland is all about at the moment, and it's a great incentive. She may go next for a nursery at Tralee', said trainer James Burns.
Newhall may bid for a four-timer at the Tralee Festival next week after easily defying a 5lb penalty in the Enniscrone Handicap. Tom Queally's mount cruised home 11 lengths clear of Lily's Choice, and trainer Francis Flood said afterwards: 'We had to come here as she has been rasied 15lb in future handicaps. She needs a trip, and handles that ground well'.
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