Course specialist Mon Storm scored on his first attempt over fences when springing a 16/1 surprise in the Sligo Races Supporters Club 2020 Annual Badge Chase.

The Victor Wilson owned and trained eight-year-old now has three Cleveragh successes to his name, and here he upstaged the Willie Mullins-trained even money favourite Pont Aven by two and three parts of a length.

Darragh O’Keeffe gave Mon Storm a patient steer, making his ground from towards the rear going to four out.

Mon Storm eventually hit the front inside the final furlong, staying on well close home to see off ‘the jolly.’ Pont Aven made a slight mistake at the fourth and he wasn’t fluent two out either.

“That’s three times he’s won here. He’s schooled well and the September Storm’s all jump well," said Wilson.

“It was good to start him off over fences at three miles as they go a bit slower. Sometimes they are taken off their feet over two miles when they are novicey.

“He stays well and it showed there today. He has to have decent ground, and we’ll probably leave him off now for the winter.”

(AM & EM)