From L to R: Michael Winters, Silver Chief, Bryan Cooper & Mikey Cronin© Photo Healy Racing
Silver Chief put some disappointing efforts behind her as she finally got off the mark over hurdles winning the opening race at Sligo this evening, the Follow Sligo on Facebook Maiden Hurdle.
Trained by Michael Winters and ridden by Bryan Cooper, the grey daughter of City On A Hill was sent off favourite on three hurdle outings before but failed to deliver.
Sent off the 7/2 second favourite this evening she was held up in towards the rear early on before making good headway into third after three out.
She got even closer at the second last before she moved into to the lead as they approached the straight.
Despite making a slight mistake at the last she had enough in hand to run out an easy nine and a half length winner. Gold Tantrum wearing blinkers for the first time, finished best of the rest in second at 40/1 for Seamus Fahey and Shane Butler while Salazaar was a neck back in third for Michael Kiernan and Mark Enright at 20/1.
After finishing a good second on his debut at Limerick last month, Lord Of Isenay was sent off the 8/13 favourite but he could only manage fourth for Jim Dreaper and Paul Townend.
Recent Galway Hurdle winning trainer Michael Winters said afterwards: "I want to thank my wife Patricia. I thought it was too soft for her but she said to put her in.
"I told Bryan Cooper too hold her up and she carried herself into the race. She was a lot more relaxed today.
"She will go for a two mile Ladies Handicap on the level at Tramore next and I booked Jane Mangan to ride her in that before Galway.
"I want to thank her owners (the South Syndicate who are a six person syndicate from Skibbereen) as well for sticking with the mare."
(On-course reporting by Alan Magee)
