Fire keeps the locals happy in Sligo feature

The feature at Sligo this afternoon, the Kilcawley Construction Irish EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle, went the way of locally-trained course specialist Red Ball Of Fire

In the care of Strandhill handler Mark McNiff, the Canford Cliffs bay was was recording her third win at the Cleveragh circuit.

Placed on her last two starts, the six-year-old was settled towards rear by Michael O'Sullivan, taking closer order from three out.

Pushed along into second from the next, she got to the front after the last and was kept up to her work on the run-in, seeing off Delante by three-parts-of-a-length.

Available at 33/1 in early shows, the runner-up was returned at 11/1 under Donagh Meyler for Tom Cooper.

There was another four-and-three-quarters of a length back to We Got This (14/1 from 3s early) in third, while the well-backed Angelsworknovrtime (5/2f from 8s early) could only manage a disappointing fifth.

"It's great to win for the local trainer and local connections (the Sligo Sopranos Syndicate)," O'Sullivan commented.

"They went very quick early so I just gave her a chance and in fairness to her, the more the race went on the more she travelled and jumped. I thought I was getting there a bit soon but it worked out lovely for her.

"I had ridden her at Downpatrick last year. She's a tricky sort of mare so I suppose it helps knowing her."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Purse Price (GB), trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard post race.

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan