Herja downs hotpot in Sligo match Herja showed great heart on the run-in to spring a shock in the match race for the opening Irish Stallion Farms Mares Beginners Chase at Sligo. Only two went to post in the two-mile-one contest after four non-runners and Sixandahalf was a 2/9 on her chasing debut. She cut out the running and was joined by Herja over the fourth last. The hotpot appeared to be travelling best turning for home but it was Herja who found more on the run-in to secure a length-and-three-quarter success under Harry Sexton. The 3/1 shot was a first winner for Frankie Griffin, who took over the licence after her husband Patrick passed away in August. "I was happy to let the favourite lead on the first circuit, but I was never going to let it turn into a sprint and started to press Keith (Donoghue) a good way out,” said Sexton. “She had the benefit of experience and just out-galloped and out-jumped the other one, she made very few errors. She's one of the most consistent horses I've ridden.  "The Griffins have been very good to me and have given me plenty of rides. Patrick sadly passed away recently. “I rode this mare when she was second in Galway, so it was almost a fairytale goodbye for Patrick. I'm delighted to repay them with a winner now." (Quotes by Mark Nunan)
