FATHER and son jockeys Niall and Scott McCullagh had a winner apiece at Sligo’s rain-hit third meeting of the year on Tuesday.

The ground, changed to yielding before racing, eased further as heavier rain began to fall halfway through the eight-race card.

A mechanical failure meant the stalls could not be used, with flag starts in all races, leaving starter Derek Cullen with a particularly tricky task in the four races over the extended five furlongs.

Niall McCullagh got away well on Noirvento (3/1) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Fillies) Handicap over that distance, and slotted in behind the leaders.

Switched out to challenge in the straight, she forged a length clear of the front-running Herb Of Grace to register a fifth career win.

“It is worrying when there are no stalls,” said the winning rider. “It’s a free-for-all but the bit of experience came into it. She enjoyed the cut in the ground and I think she’s good for another one.”

The winning trainer Tracey Collins added: “She’s such a consistent filly and her owners, the Altar Ego Syndicate, are a fantastic bunch of people and have been great patrons of mine.

“I’ve had a good bit of success at Sligo and my father, Con, had a good record here as well. It’s a long way to come, so we always try to bring something that will represent us well.”

The consistent Lord Park, trained by Michael Halford for owner Garrett Freyne, provided Scott McCullagh with his seventh winner of the campaign as he justified 6/4 favouritism in the concluding RSS Document Storage Maiden over 10 furlongs.

The Tamayuz gelding chased the leaders before hitting the front on the home turn and stayed on well to draw four lengths clear of market rival Ballinlough Gale.

“I started off with Mr. Halford before I went to England and he was very good to me, he gave me a good grounding,” said the younger McCullagh. “This horse seemed to enjoy the tighter track and softer conditions today.”

Roche double

Leigh Roche enjoyed a 10/1 double, the first leg of which was on board previous course winner Dolce Sicily (3/1 favourite) in the second division of the Rosses Point Caravan Park Handicap (45-65).

The blinkered daughter of Epaulette made all to hold the persistent challenge of Fit For Function by half a length.

Lee Smyth, who’s based in Moira, Co. Down, trains the winner for Tyrone owner Mr. E. Donnelly, and said: “It’s been a lucky track for me. It’s very similar to the gallop we have at home, the same design, and my horses handle it well.”

The Galway rider completed his brace when 7/4 favourite Divine Celt, 4lb well-in after a near miss at Leopardstown five days previously, was far too strong for her rivals in the second division of the Durkin Bros Electrical Handicap (45-65) over 10 furlongs.

Bernie Callanan’s four-year-old, trained by Jarlath Fahey, was patiently ridden before coming through to head Alice Milligan just inside the final furlong, and she quickly asserted to account for that rival by six lengths.

“She was a very expensive foal and yearling and to get a win for her pedigree is all-important,” said Fahey.

“She’s in foal to Phoenix Of Spain so we’ll tip away for another while with her, and see what the handicapper does,” he added.

McConnell’s team up for success

THE first division of the (45-65) handicap over a mile and a quarter saw 10lb claimer Cillian McConnell ride the second winner of his career as Lady Georgie (13/2), owned by his aunt Debbie McConnell and trained by his father John, came with a sustained challenge on the inner to touch off Odd Venture by a neck.

“It is good to get the winner for Dad as we went through a quiet spell since March,’’ said the winning rider.

“We had a first winner of the jumps season recently and this is our first winner on the flat.”

Regarding his own career path, he said: “I’m going to do Actuarial Mathematics in DCU at the end of the summer and hopefully I can keep riding on the side. I’m only 30 minutes from DCU and I’m hoping to get a balance of both.”

Superb season

Joe Murphy continued his superb season as 10/3 joint-favourite Kodiqueen, owned and bred by Ballylinch Stud, was a decisive four and a quarter length winner of the first division of the (45-65) sprint handicap in the hands of Gary Carroll.

It was winner number 15 of the campaign for the Fethard handler, whose son and assistant Joe Jnr was on hand.

“The plan was to be very positive on her and in fairness to Gary, they were going to cut each other’s throats in front and he took a little pull and he followed them around. She kind of won the same way here as a three-year-old, so it worked out great.”

Panther pounces for Mulvanys

THE most valuable event on the card saw the day’s widest-margin winner, as The Blue Panther (8/1) made most to take Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Race over the extended five furlongs by an emphatic seven lengths under Sam Ewing.

“He got away nicely (from the flag start) and that was crucial,” said trainer Mick Mulvany, who trains the Buratino gelding for his father Larry.

”Once he got out there, he was always going to stay and the conditions of this (winners-of-one) race really suited him”.

Racing began with a one-two for trainer James McAuley and owner James Gough as Big Challenge (4/1) led home Timemakesitfine in the Strandhill Caravan Park A Splendid Location For Staycation Claiming Race.

The Sea The Stars seven-year-old, a useful but fragile performer when in the care of Saeed Bin Suroor, hit the front before the home turn under Dylan Browne McMonagle and stayed on well to hold his stable companion by a length and a half.

The winner was the subject of a friendly claim and remains with connections.