RADAR Ahead’s connections are already looking forward to a trip to Cheltenham with the Tom McCourt-trained filly after she landed the €20,000 Racing TV Irish EBF Mares’ Handicap Hurdle at this well-attended Sunday fixture.

Darragh O’Keeffe’s mount joined the front-running Spick And Span at the final flight and the 3/1 shot kept on strongly on the run-in to beat that rival by five and a half lengths. “She has stepped on a lot from her last two runs and her jumping today was very good for her first handicap. She’s a lovely mare to have and is capable of winning on the flat as well,” said McCourt.

“The owners (Elaine Shevlin and Cormac Farrell) are mad to have a runner in Cheltenham, so we’ll look at November if things go the right way.”

Horses for courses

Spick And Span’s trainer James Fahey also had to settle for the runner-up spot in the Kilcawley Construction Handicap Hurdle, where Angelsworknovrtime was reeled in about 100 yards out by Cornmarket, who kept on strongly for Alan King to ultimately score by three and three-quarter lengths.

“I was a bit worried about the ground, and I think he could be a better horse with a bit more ease in it,” said Ballina owner/trainer John Cullen of the 100/30 favourite, who provided him with his first winner here in May.

“It could be tough to get in at Galway but that’s on my mind and we’ll see what happens. He can always come back to Sligo.” King picked up a two-day ban for careless riding following an incident before two out where the third-placed Mother Ship was hampered.

THE Foley’s Bar & Off Licence Handicap Hurdle was the other €20,000 feature on the card and John McGivney’s Sargeant Lightfoot (8/1 in the morning and returned at half those odds) headed fellow 11-year-old Jack Holiday after the last to score by two and three-quarter lengths.

“I was thinking when I was pulling up that he rides like a five-year-old,” said rider Kieren Buckley. “He has loads of enthusiasm and it’s lovely to ride a horse like that - a complete pro and still loves the game. His hurdling was brilliant today. He’s 6lb lower over hurdles than fences and was entitled to win off that mark.”

Local Secret

Evans Secret recorded a popular local success in the Sligo Park Hotel Handicap Hurdle, with the 9/2 (10/1 in the morning) chance jumping to the front at the last and keeping on well for Phillip Enright to beat Spellacy’s Cross by two lengths.

“He’s had loads of good runs and Phillip was very good on him there,” said Strandhill-based Mark McNiff, who trains the gelding for John Doyle. “He was pricking his ears all the way up the run-in and is a horse that always works a lot better than he’s ever shown at the races.”

THE large, sun-baked crowd were in good cheer after strongly fancied favourites won the opening two maiden hurdles. Killeaney Bear continued a good run for trainer Andy Slattery when making all in the opening Durkin Bros. Electrical Maiden Hurdle, with the 5/6 shot driven out by Cian Quirke in the closing stages to hold off the challenge of Tatateo by a diminishing neck.

“He jumped a lot slicker today,” said Quirke of the Charles Kerwin-owned gelding. “We always held him in high regard and he’s a nice horse on the flat as well. I couldn’t pull him up after the line, so I think he’ll stay further.”

Darling delivers

Cj’s Darling, trained by Gavin Cromwell for the Temple Bloodstock Syndicate, was also a popular order in the CT Electrical Maiden Hurdle and the Idaho mare cruised clear in the straight under Conor Stone-Walsh to beat Red Or White by an effortless 10 lengths.

“She’s done it well, travelled well everywhere and jumped well on the whole. Hopefully she can keep improving and she loved that nice ground,” said Stone-Walsh of the 6/5 favourite.

Landmark win

Josh Berry partnered his first winner under rules in the Clayton Hotel Mares’ Flat Race, where the Brendan Walsh-trained Richieandsams Lady (16/5) led approaching the straight and kept on strongly to beat Sing My Story by three lengths.

“I’ve ridden 11 winners in point-to-points but that’s my first winner on the track and just my second ride,” said the delighted winning rider. “To ride it for my uncle (Daragh Berry, owner) is great. I ride out at home for my father, John Paul Berry, and for a few local lads as well.”