Sicario and Ronan Whelan© Photo Healy Racing
Grade Two winning hurdler Rocky Blue made a lovely return to the fray off a 554 day break but the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel & Lodges Enniskillen Handicap at Sligo belonged to local winner Sicario under Ronan Whelan.
After finishing second at Leopardstown last time 18 days ago, Sicario ended up an easy-to-back 11/2 chance. However he proved strongest up the straight as Rocky Blue stayed on without threatening from over a furlong out to end up a length and a half off in second. Take A Turn was three parts of a length back in third with the principals five and a half lengths and more clear of the rest.
“He’d a good run the last day but his good runs for me on the Flat were all at Leopardstown so we were wondering would he bring it away from there,” said Strandhill-based winning trainer Mark McNiff.
“Ronan said he flew around and he seemed in great old heart lately. He likes the fast ground.
“He might go to the Curragh next Friday. If it didn’t turn up fast here we were going to wait and go there. We’ll stick him in tomorrow and see how he is through the week.”
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Harvest Bow trained by Noel Meade, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
At the request of the Stewards, O.J. Orr, rider of Harvest Bow, trained by Noel Meade, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount emptied very quickly.
W.J. Lee, rider of Sky Marshal trained by C.Byrnes, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount had to sit for a few strides before the approach to the straight as there was nowhere to go.
(AM & EM)
