< Sir Ector ended a drought that stretched back the best part of four years with victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle at Sligo.

Nicole McKenna's 10-year-old did finish second at Roscommon on his latest outing in this sphere, though, so despite struggling on the level at Galway since, he wasn't winning out of turn.

He took the last in front and although King Blue tried to tackle him, he couldn't really get near enough to challenge and Paul Townend drove Sir Ector (6-1) out to triumph by three lengths.< Darkest Flyer showed tremendous resolution to claim top honours in the Hop House 13 Lager Rated Novice Hurdle.

Sean Flanagan cut out much of the running on Noel Meade's 11-10 market leader and when pressed by the strong-travelling top-weight Snugsborough Hall at the last, he found extra reserves of stamina to win by three and three-quarter lengths.< Shanning was made to work harder than expected to justify odds of 1-3 in the Diageo Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Having tracked the leaders for much of the two-mile journey, Ruby Walsh sent Willie Mullins' French recruit about her business after jumping two out but Amarillo Rose went with her and the favourite only edged it by a length and a quarter.

Davy Russell has been in the headlines of late and drove Broughtons Star home in the Guinness Handicap Hurdle.< Effernock Lad made a bold bid from the front and seemed likely to stay there, only for Russell to pounce after the last on the 9-2 joint-favourite, who passed the post a length to the good.

Russell and trainer Gordon Elliott looked like doubling up when Full Batten threw down a big challenge in the Carlsberg Maiden Hurdle, but Movingswiftlyalong wasn't for passing and scored by half a length at odds of 11-4.< Kilganer Queen (13-2) came off the reserves' bench to win the Callan Tansey Solicitors Handicap Hurdle, while Chess Grand Master took the Smithwicks Flat Race.