THE new drainage system was certainly put to the test on a wet night at Sligo and there was plenty of praise for underfoot conditions.

Ruby Walsh described the going as just yielding after the opening race victory of Shanning in the Diageo Mares Maiden Hurdle.

The 1/3 favourite, making her hurdling debut having won on the level in France, was produced to lead turning for home by Walsh.

Willie Mullins’ charge, in the colours of Supreme Horse Racing Club, stuck to her task well to account for Amarillo Rose by a length and a quarter.

“It’s only yielding out there. I’d say it’s all draining into the car-park,” said Walsh.

“I’m very surprised at how dry it is. The old Sligo would have been a bog but this Sligo isn’t a bog anymore, which is great. They may buy a watering system now!

“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.”

Noel Meade was also impressed with the course work after the victory of Darkest Flyer in the Hop House 13 Lager Rated Novice Hurdle.

The well-backed 11/10 favourite looked to have battle on his hands turning for home in the two-and-a-half mile contest when tackled by Snugsborough Benny.

He pulled away on the run-in, under Sean Flanagan, and was going away at the line for a three-and-three-quarter length win.

“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,” said Meade.

“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 but it’s loose and he got through it. Three miles is more his trip really. It’s soft but not too bad considering the amount of rain we came through coming here.

“They are still galloping home in it so it can’t be that bad. They must have done a great job on the draining.”

Broughton’s Star gained his first win since a debut bumper success in November 2010 when taking the Guinness Handicap Hurdle for Gordon Elliott.

Davy Russell produced the 9/2 joint favourite to challenge over the last and he went on to record a length success over Effernock Lad.

“His run here the last day was good and we fancied him today because of the run here the last day. Obviously he has a liking for the track,” said assistant trainer Davy Condon.

“He’s a bit of a monkey and Davy knows him well. He even said afterwards that he knew we’d get a race of 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.”

Elliott and Russell were denied a double in the Carlsberg Maiden Hurdle when Movingswiftlyalong battled gamely to hold Full Batten

Paddy Kennedy led after the second last on the 11/4 shot and Shane Ryder’s charge got home by half a length to open her account.

“She’s tiny but she’s tough as nails. She has shown bits of ability,” said Ryder.

“Fair play to HRI for putting on these races (unplaced maidens) because without them she wouldn’t be winning a maiden hurdle.

“She’s had four quick runs now. Who knows how good she is but she’s the winner of a maiden hurdle tonight anyway and the owner is delighted so that’s all that matters.

“The ground was my worry coming up, would she handle it with the size of her and having to carry 11st. Being by Beneficial you wouldn’t worry but the size of her was my big concern. She proved me wrong anyway.

“We’ll see what the handicapper does. I thought she was a summer mare and I don’t think she’llbe able to compete with proper national hunt horses on winter ground. That might be it until next spring.”

Denise O’Shea’s first visit to Sligo proved a winning one when Kilganer Queen bounced back to form in the Callan Tansey Solicitors Handicap Hurdle.

Rachael Blackmore always had the well-backed 13/2 shot (from 14/1) prominent and she pulled clear in the straight for a four and three quarter length win over Bronco Bill.

“I’ve never been here before and that’ll make the five and a half hour journey home a little bit easier!” said O’Shea.

“We were contemplating pulling her out as she won on firm in Limerick.

“She’s a mare that’s claustrophobic and can’t be beside horses, which isn’t a great trait in a racehorse, but in fairness to Rachael she kept her out and kept her interested.

“She’s a lovely mare and we’ve always thought that at home. I’d imagine she’ll go over fences now. She’s a fine big mare and she’s won a point-to-point.

“She’s great to have and it’s great for Michael (Mee), who has four horses with me and is a great owner.

“We’ll see how she comes out of it. She’s a mare I don’t actually have to do a lot with. She’ll go home and have a couple of days off and then go swimming.

“She’s fit now and loves swimming. She goes down to the beach and that’s how I maintain her.

“She was a little disappointing in Tramore the other day but unfortunately she just got crowded at the start and she can’t handle it.

“As long as she keeps winning out wide we’ll keep her out wide. Rachael gave her a savage ride as usual. It’s great and it’s great in the rain here!”

Sir Ector gained his first win since November 2013 when taking the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle over just short of three miles.

The rain was run in a very heavy shower and Sir Ector emerged from the gloom to lead after the second last, under Paul Townend, and go on for a three-length win over King Blue.

Nicole McKenna, trainer of the 6/1 winner, said afterwards, “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.”

The concluding bumper was run in very sloppy conditions after the barrage of rain and 9/10 favourite Chess Grand Master slogged it out under Tom Hamilton.

Joseph O’Brien’s charge led three furlongs from home and saw off Thereisnodoubt on the run-in for a length and three quarters success.

ACTING STEWARDS

A. Ryan, Mrs R.Ross, J.F. Gillespie, D. Pugh, M.F. O’Donoghue

HORSE TO FOLLOW

FULL BATTEN (G. Elliott) He ran well on his first start for Gordon Elliott and it would be no surprise to see him placed to win a small race before long.