Measured Approval stamps his authority

Danny Benson and Measured Approval came with a powerful run from the home bend and comfortably won the seven furlong handicap at Sligo, landing quite a gamble in the process.

The Pat Flynn-trained four-year-old was backed from 14/1 to 8/1 this morning and he went off 11/2 at the track.

He beat 4/1 favourite (backed in from 11/2) Doublebarreljimmy by six lengths with 25/1 outsider Sweet Annathea coming home third of the 13 runners.

Danny Benson said: “I was a bit worried about the ground. He struggled a bit in the first few furlongs, but once we passed the three pole I always thought we would get there.”

Benson is 18 and from Dunshaughlin, Co Meath. He rides out a lot for John McConnell. That’s his fourth winner for Pat Flynn. He put up a pound overweight at 9-5.

(on course reporting by Thomas Weekes)