Eagle lands a double for McManus

The form of Alpine Eagle s Killarney success got a nice boost when his victim from there, Mount Helicon took the first, and Jessica Harrington's Golan gelding ran away with the featured Guinness Sligo Handicap Hurdle under Andrew Leigh, thus completing a double for owner J P McManus (his Carrigmartin scored thirty five minutes earlier).

Leigh got to the front on the six-year-old, equipped with cheek-pieces, approaching two out, he was clear entering the straight before going away to account for Novel Investment by eight lengths.

Frank Berry, representing the successful owner, said: "He ran very very free and he wasn't the easiest of rides but he jumped away well and the cheek-pieces were a big help. He was unfortunate to miss the cut in the Galway Hurdle which was disappointing but it was nice to come here and win this. He'll go for a handicap now in maybe Galway or Listowel."

Alpine Eagle, who just retained favouritism from The Burrow Vic (6s into 7/2), was never threatened by Davy Fitzgerald's charge who ended up having to settle for eighth place.