ADRIAN Heskin was the man to follow at Sligo as he steered both Havana Dancer and Sinndar Sandy to victory. The rider kicked off his brace aboard Sinndar Sandy as she ran out a shock 50-1 winner of the Pet Stop Maiden Hurdle for trainer Michael Cleary.

"It was a great training performance by Michael," said Heskin. "I sat on her during the week and she jumped well so I said I'd love to ride her. She was very good and it's great when it works out like that."

Havana Dancer's success in the Martin Reilly BMW Handicap Hurdle was much less of a surprise as the the 3-1 favourite had previously made the frame at Wexford. However, she had to fend off both Drive The Bus and Captains and Kings for a length-and-a-half verdict.

Heskin added: "It's been a good day's work with two winners and I was just touched off for a treble. She finished very strongly. They went very slow early on and I just let her get into it. She outstayed them at the end."

Ruby Walsh came in for strong praise from winning trainer, and brother-in-law, Ross O'Sullivan following Bendanella's win in the Anthony Langan Supporting Sligo Races Handicap Hurdle.

O'Sullivan said: "It was all about the fractions and he didn't panic - it was a perfect example of how to ride Sligo in soft ground. He had plenty of ability and was a nice horse early on, but then it all went pear-shaped and he had lots of problems and takes a lot of minding.

"We were hoping down the back that he'd be in the first three, as we thought the first two had gone, but he never panicked and the win was down to the ride. He thought he was always getting there. He said when he got to the other horse he rallied a bit but luckily he got there in the end.

"The target was to win a race and get him back to the track. Everybody says at this time of year they are going to Galway but we'll maybe stay away. He's had a run over fences and might go back for a beginners chase. All his form is on soft or heavy and the ground is the key to him."

TWO WINS IN THREE DAYS

Rathmuck Native claimed her second win in three days when lifting the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Mares Rated Novice Hurdle at Sligo.

A winner for Peter Fahey at Cork on Friday, the daughter of Definite Article was again ridden by Kevin Sexton, who produced her to lead after the second last, with the pair staying on well for a comfortable seven-and-a-half-length victory over Oh Me Oh My.

Fahey said: "She was getting a bit of weight and was maybe entitled to win it, but I thought it was a good performance. It was a fair call turning her out again so quick, but the horses at home are in brilliant form so we'll stay going while they are going well.

"If she's OK she might go to Galway for the mares' hurdles or a mile-and-a-half maiden on the Flat. If she doesn't go there, there is a nice programme for mares after that. We always thought she had loads of ability but last year I only had a handful of winners and a lot of horses were finishing placed. Thank god that's turned around and long may it continue!"