Must Meet Cecil too strong for rivals in Sligo Claimer

Must Meet Cecil saw off a number of higher rated opponents to run out a game winner of the opening Clayton Hotel Claiming Hurdle at Sligo.

The Cian Collins trained grey was always to the fore, tracking the pace setting Bigz Belief on the first circuit, before taking up the running with four flights to jump.

Pushed along approaching the second last, the five-year-old looked a sitting duck with both Conna Castle and Cafe Con Leche apparently full of running in behind. However, as the latter came under pressure it soon developed into a two horse race.

Ridden entering the straight, Must Meet Cecil faced a strong challenge from Conna Castle at the final flight but a mistake from the latter at that obstacle allowed the Collins runner to draw clear on the run-in for a four-and-three-quarter lengths win.

Winning rider Danny Gilligan said: "I thought we went plenty hard for the first round but I was always trying to have one go at the horse in front (Bigz Belief) because I thought if I could get past him, that horse might throw in the towel and make our job a bit easier. Thankfully it worked out.

"Bigz Belief had won a claimer here before and had got it very easy in front that day and I didn't want to let that happen again.

"He had lost his way a bit lately but to be fair to Cian, he fancied him going out and the first-time cheekpieces made a big difference, they really helped him."

Both Conna Castle(8k) and Cafe Con Leche(10k) were subsequently claimed by Anthony David Bustin to be trained by Charles Byrnes.

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan.