Another for McCourt as Scarlet scores

After recording a double on the level at Cork on Tuesday, Tom McCourt was on the mark again at Sligo this evening as his Scarlet Prince took the Martinstown Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.

Formerly trained in the UK by Tony Coyle, the five-year-old son of Sir Percy, was having his sixth run for McCourt this evening.

Having finished a close up fifth to the Ring Is King on his last start at Ballinrobe, the bay gelding was sent off at 11/2 (opened at 5/1).

Ridden by Keith Donoghue, he raced in second throughout, as Cheyenne Girl attempted to make all.

He was ridden into the lead at the second last, and he kept on well away from the last to score by a length and a quarter. Our Maimie kept on well to take second at 9/1 under Mark Bolger for Ray McGlinchey, while Cheyenne Girl was two and a half lengths back in third under David Splaine for Pat Martin at 4/1.

Stillwater Cover was sent off the 7/2 favourite under Jody McGarvey for Christy Roche, but he disappointingly pulled up after the second last.

Tom McCourt said afterwards: "He is a nice enough sort and he doesn’t do a lot in front. "He has a lot to learn jumping wise and he was a bit sloppy at a few.

"He is a light framed horse and he stays well. He should be alright in handicap company.

"At Ballinrobe they took him off his feet and he stayed on late.

"Hopefully the handicapper will leave him on the same mark as he is plenty high enough."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson