LA Bella Vida booked her ticket to Galway in winning the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Rated Novice Hurdle at Sligo.

The 8/1 chance was a narrow third of three jumping the final flight, but found plenty for the in-form Sean Flanagan to score by a length and three-quarters from Dawn In The Park.

Trainer Liz Doyle said: "I had been hitting the crossbar recently and second and thirds aren't any good.

"I was up at 5.45am this morning, feeding and whatnot, so that's all a bit of a blur! It took four and a half hours to get here, but it's all worth it as long as we take some prize-money home."

"This race suited her and she got a beautiful ride. She got a little bit flat to the boards early but I knew when the hill kicked in, she'd come on the bridle. It was a nice opportunity and she ticked all the right boxes for it and I'm very very pleased with her.

"She'll probably go to Galway now for the mares' two-mile handicap hurdle if he (handicapper) isn't too hard on her."

NEWCOMER

Robbie Power took a heavy fall from Jacobs Well in the Taylor Construction & Civil Works Maiden Hurdle won by Niall Madden's jumping newcomer Boherbuoy and was down for some time before thankfully getting to his feet and being helped to the ambulance.

Madden said of his 12/1 winner, who was with the now-retired David Wachman on the level: "It was great to be asked to train the horse and he's nice. He had a good flat rating and it all depended on whether he was going to produce it over hurdles.

"He could be a nice horse and he should win more races and could go back on the flat, too."

The most valuable race on the card was the Kilcawley Construction Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, over an extended two and a half miles, and it was won by the Peter Casey-trained Eight Till Late (7/1). The nine-year-old chesnut gelding was partnered by Andrew Ring and won by four lengths.

READ THE FULL SLIGO REPORT IN NEXT WEEKEND'S EDITION OF THE IRISH FIELD