Gers Gigi stayed on stoutly in the closing stages to gain compensation in the opening mares maiden hurdle at Sligo this afternoon.

The Gordon Elliott-trained mare had been narrowly denied on her hurdling debut at Wexford last month.

She originally got the result in the stewards room, having received a slight bump in the closing stages, only to lose race again on appeal.

Jack Kennedy made no mistake on the 1/3 shot in today's two-mile-one contest.

She moved smoothly through to lead going to the second last and was asked for an effort at the back of that flight.

The Flemensfirth mare asserted from Love Like This in the closing stages to score by four-and-a-quarter lengths.

Kennedy said: "She was a lot more professional in front today. I took it up plenty soon but we hadn't gone quick and she stays, so I wanted to get going on her.

"She idled a bit in front at Wexford but today, in fairness to her, she galloped to the line.

"She jumps well. She was slow down over the last two the last day, and probably not lightning quick today either, but it was definitely an improvement.

"She can step back up in trip and hopefully she'll improve away."

(Quotes by Mark Nunan)