Chopsticks 'shocks' in Sligo's finale Chopsticks (13/2 — 9/2) was the well-supported winner of Sligo’s concluding Rockshore Cider Handicap today, as the John McConnell-trained gelding shed his maiden tag at the 20th attempt. By Zoffany, the 51-rated five-year-old had previously finished second on four occasions and today showed nice staying ability over the 1m5f trip, when finishing well for a five lengths win from Arcland. Jockey Hayes, who registered his 1,000th Irish winner on July 1, reported “it was very falsely run and John (McConnell) said he’d like me to be fairly handy on Chopsticks. “We crept around and when the leader faded away I gave him one little dig and he just took off in a couple of strides. He shocked me.” Quotes from Alan Magee
