O'Sullivan off the mark as pro on Dangan

Michael O'Sullivan gave Dangan Des Champs a confident ride to secure his first winner as a professional in the finale at Sligo this afternoon.

The Cork jockey had plenty of success as an amateur, both on the track and in point-to-points, and turned pro recently.

He teamed up with the Robert Tyner-trained mare, who went to post an 18/1 shot having failed to show much in three starts during the summer after winning a Tralee point-to-point in late May.

The daughter of Robin Des Champs was held up before taking closer order three from home in the three-mile-one contest.

She jumped up to dispute at the final fence and soon went on, posting a two-and-a-half length win over the staying on Diegos Way

O'Sullivan said: "That's my first winner as a professional. I had a couple of seconds so it's great to get off the mark, especially for Robert. We've had good success together on the track and I'm very grateful to him.

"He still does a savage job and the filly made it very easy for me. She jumped and travelled very well and it was only a matter of when to say go.

"I'm with my uncle Eugene a day to help out, I go into Willie Mullins' two mornings and Barry Connell's then the other three or four mornings.

"Ken Whelan is my agent and he's doing a great job for me."

(Quotes by Mark Nunan)