IF recent history is anything to go by, Denis Hogan could have a big season to look forward to with Moskovite (9/4) after she made a winning return in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase.

This mare’s elder half-sister Moyhenna was a similarly useful hurdler before taking flight over fences last season when she won at Grade 2 level as well as landing a good handicap chase at Puncestown, and Moskovite could prove just as good.

Over a trip short of her best, the Hogan-ridden grey looked to be in trouble at one stage when she lost a few places before the third last, but she rallied well and ultimately got home by a length and a quarter from Ar Eagla Na Heagla.

Last term this Robert Hennelly-owned and bred six-year-old was placed in a three-mile Grade 3 behind two top novices in Allaho and Minella Indo, and the benefit of this comeback run and longer trips can see her make an impact in good mares’ races this season. Hogan reported that his charge will follow a similar path to Moyhenna.

Robert Tyner made his first runner for two months count as Dontdooddson landed a touch in the Leo McMurrow Memorial Novice Handicap Chase.

This Brendan Keogh-owned six-year-old hadn’t shown much in three previous runs over fences but was backed from as big as 10/1 in the morning into 100/30 and duly delivered under Philip Enright.

On his first outing since May, Dontdooddson produced a quick and clean jump at the last and this enabled him to prevail by half a length from the unlucky Fruits Of Glory who lost valuable momentum with a last-fence blunder.

Cawley’s better luck

Owner-trainer and Sligo native Eddie Cawley was out of luck with Fruits Of Glory but better fortune awaited with Select Opportunity who repeated last year’s victory in the 0-102 rated handicap chase to give jockey Chris Timmons his first success since May 2018.

The 15/2 shot was a menacing presence on the heels of the leaders from some way out and knuckled down under pressure after the final fence to defeat the favourite, Allduckornodinner, by three lengths. This was the winner’s first outing since December, whereas Cawley was registering his first triumph of the season.

Tony Mullins brought down the curtain on 2019 at Sligo with a 14/1 winner as Doran The Legend picked up the 0-95 rated handicap chase over three miles.

In the colours of Grabel’s owner Paddy Kehoe and ridden by the trainer’s son Danny, this placed point-to-pointer hadn’t shown much on his first three racecourse outings, but a revelatory effort was in the offing here as he recorded an eight-length triumph.

Mon Storm’s formidable record at Sligo now reads even better as the Victor Wilson-owned and trained gelding translated his sustained progress over hurdles to the larger obstacles with a winning debut over fences in the three-mile conditions chase.

Mon Storm and Darragh O'Keeffe (near) jump the last to win the Sligo Races Steeplechase from Pont Aven (far) \ Healy Racing

This eight-year-old was a 16/1 chance to account for a field that contained some experienced rivals with some reasonable ratings. However, he made light of his inexperience over fences under man of the moment Darragh O’Keeffe who bided his time at the rear of the field.

After getting into contention over the course of the final circuit, Mon Storm bested the evens favourite Pont Aven after the last to score by two and three-quarter lengths.

A much improved sort this year, Mon Storm has won four of his last seven outings and is now likely to be left off for the winter.

A GOOD run for Gerry Keane continued into the Frank O’Beirne Handicap Chase where Effernock Lad (11/2) made it seven wins from 46 career starts.

In the colours of the trainer’s wife, Esther, this 10-year-old was recording his second win in his last four starts, and he gave Mark Flanagan his final winner as a jockey at Downpatrick last month.

Ricky Doyle was on board Effernock Lad on this occasion and his mount showed a fine attitude to come out the right side of a protracted battle with Thecraicisninety.

Western Sea (8/1) notched up his third victory for Ross O’Sullivan as he progressed from an encouraging second at Tramore last month to take the Brenda Anderson Memorial Beginners Chase for horses that were rated 109 or lower over hurdles.

Luke Dempsey was on board this Tommy Ward-owned six-year-old who was in control of this race throughout the last half-mile.

The favourite, Lord Schnapps, threatened in the straight but he was two lengths adrift of the winner at the line.

Donagh Meyler picked up a one-day whip ban after partnering First Class Return into fourth.