First-time blinkers the key to a Calm Flight Ahead Philip Rothwell's Calm Flight Ahead sprang a 25/1 surprise in the Aidan Moffitt Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Sligo after a canny ride from 7lb claimer Conor Clarke. As called by commentator, Gary O'Brien, Clarke looked to have slipped the field on Calm Flight Ahead two out as he jumped it some five lengths to the good. The jockey still had plenty of horse under him and as the remainder of the field came off the bridle in pursuit, Calm Flight Ahead powered clear after the last in the first-time blinkers to win as he pleased by 12 lengths. He didn't go unbacked having shortened from 50/1, 40/1 and 33/1. Fremantle Doctor won the race for second at 10/3 and was two and a quarter lengths ahead of Bowgate Street (13/2). Clarke said: "The first-time blinkers put a bit of sparkle into him, I suppose. "I was a bit worried when I was left alone four out, he went a bit idle on me and I just ran the bit through his mouth to keep him up to it. "I knew I was going easy, but I wasn't sure how far I was in front. I thought they'd be coming to me after the last, so I was a bit surprised when I had a look behind. He did it well "He'll go up in the handicap now and he'll have to improve on that, but with the way the blinkers are working, I presume they won't be left off. "He seems to like it a bit on the better side. It's good, safe ground out there and he did enjoy it." Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
