SIR Ector rolled back the years with victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle at Sligo.

Now 10 years old and without a win since he beat Quick Jack in the 2013 November Handicap at Leopardstown, Nicole McKenna's charge was back over obstacles after struggling at the Galway Festival.

He took the last in front and kept going admirably in the hands of Paul Townend to cross the line with three lengths in hand.

McKenna said: "When we came up the road we were actually going to pull him out as we saw so much rain coming.

"He had lost his way there for a while, it's a few years since he has won. He is a bit older now so he has got cuter. I think the small field kind of helped him. I was glad to see a few horses came out so we ran him.

"We were worried about the ground, we would have liked yielding to soft but obviously he has handled it. We are happy. He was a good horse in his day so we are glad for the horse and glad for ourselves."

Darkest Flyer also regained the winning thread with a gritty performance in the Hop House 13 Lager Rated Novice Hurdle.

Noel Meade's charge was turned over at odds-on at Ballinrobe last month but that didn't stop punters piling in again and he was sent off the 11/10 favourite.

Sean Flanagan was always to the fore and although Snugsborough Hall loomed up travelling menacingly, Darkest Flyer pulled out to plenty to prevail by three and three-quarter lengths.

Meade said: "It made up for the last day. They went no gallop and he sat in. It was just a mistake as we didn't know the horse that well, he does stay really well.

"With 10lb less on his back it looked a free one but we missed it. Talk about getting a certainty beaten, that's what we did. We thought he mightn't handle the ground today but it's loose and he got through it. Three miles is more his trip really."

DESERVED SUCCESS

Broughtons Star (9/2 joint-favourite) registered a deserved success in the Guinness Handicap Hurdle.

The Gordon Elliott-trained 10-year-old hadn't managed to get his head in front in 18 previous attempts over timber but had been performing with credit in defeat and Davy Russell produced him with his challenge at the last en route to seeing off Effernock Lad by a length.

Assistant trainer Davy Condon said: "His run here the last day was good and we fancied him today because of that. Obviously he has a liking for the track.

"He's a bit of a monkey and Davy knows him well. He even said afterwards that he knew we'd get a race out of him alright.

"Today suited him and with the easier ground he was able to ride him where we wanted him. He takes a bit of coaxing and tricking along and Davy is the right man on board for that.

"It's good to get a win out of him because he's a bit quirky. Hopefully he'll win another one."

WORKMANLIKE

Shanning was workmanlike rather than spectacular, but was still good enough in the Diageo Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Off since making a successful debut in France in February of last year, since when she has joined the Willie Mullins team, the 1/3 favourite took it up on the run to the final flight, but she had Amarillo Rose for company and there was only a length and a quarter in it at the line.

Winning jockey Ruby Walsh said: "She was professional and jumped well. It was a slowly-run race and she's a mile-and-a-quarter filly so she had the speed to win.

"I was happy with her. I'll have a chat with Willie and see what the plan is."

Kilganer Queen (13/2) was originally only first reserve for the Callan Tansey Solicitors Handicap Hurdle but made the cut and took full advantage in the hands of Rachael Blackmore.

Movingswiftlyalong boasts a progressive profile and broke through in the Carlsberg Maiden Hurdle. The Shane Ryder-trained 11/4 shot was tackled by Full Batten at the last but pulled out more and held on by half a length.

Chess Grand Master hit the crossbar on his first couple of outings and registered a deserved victory in the Smithwicks Flat Race as the 9/10 favourite.

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