Duggan's Ballykinlar defies the handicapper again The most valuable event on the Sligo card was the 20,000 Euros Francie 'Banger' Burns Handicap Hurdle in which Ballykinlar, owned and trained in Co Limerick by Donncha Duggan, justified 3/1 favouritism in the hands of Eoin Staples. Up in trip after scoring under Staples at Kilbeggan and this venue, the Irish Wells gelding completed the hat-trick and defied a cumulative rise of 17lb with a strong-travelling performance. Having moved into contention on the outer at the second-last, the six-year-old went on turning for home and came home two lengths in front of Grange Walk. After his earlier win on Sophia Rose, it was a first double under Rules for 7lb claimer Staples. Staples said: “He’s been some horse for me since I started and fair play to Donncha, he’s had him in tip-top condition every time he’s come out. “I kept him wide because his jumping is so good that I don’t really want to interfere with him. Every time he saw a hurdle he winged it. “He loves it around here. He got to the front very easy and in fairness to him he stayed on well. “Every day he’s improving and hopefully there is more in him.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee
