Mordor belatedly opens his account with easy success

The Gordon Elliott trained Mordor belatedly gained a first career win over flights when easily landing the opening Family Day At Sligo Races Maiden Hurdle at the western track.

Having his eighth start over hurdles this afternoon, the four-year-old finally delivered on the promise of previous runs when readily accounting for his opposition.

Prominent from the outset under Sam Ewing, Mordor was travelling easily just behind leader Game Eagle when the latter departed three out.

Second favourite Leitzel went in pursuit of the 2/5f market leader but having got to within a couple of lengths on the run to the penultimate flight, the Andrew McNamara trained filly had no more to give.

Mordor went clear from the back of the final flight, staying on strongly to register a 14 length success.

Sam Ewing said: "It obviously didn't look that strong a race on paper but he's done everything right today. He travelled well and when I asked him at the back of the last, he picked up and stayed going.

"He'll probably be a nicer horse over further, that's the kind of feeling I get off him anyway. He'd some good runs and it's nice to get him off the mark.

"Ray (Stokes, owner) has been good to me and it's nice to get another one on the board for him too.

"It's lovely ground, just on the slow side of good."

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan.