Earls makes breakthrough in Sligo

Earls (9/4f) broke much better today and made virtually all from a low draw to get his first victory in the Clayton Hotel Handicap at Sligo.

He was soon pressed by second reserve St George's Head in this extended five furlongs race, but travelled well and hugged the rail turning for home.

He came under Dylan Browne McMonagle 's whip to go for home less than a furlong out, and kept up his work to score by a length and a quarter for Eddie Lynam. Misterio emerged as the biggest threat approaching the final furlong, but could never get on terms and had to settle for second at 11/4.

She was three and a quarter lengths in front of Valquinto at 14/1.

Dylan Browne McMonagle said: "He jumped a bit better than I would have planned.

"He was slow away the last day (in Down Royal) and was playing catch-up the whole way over five which wasn't ideal.

"But he broke well today, he lobbed away lovely in front with his ears pricked the whole way.

"He was loving it and when I asked him for a squeeze he picked up well and ran to the line."

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan