Sheridan finds his way through the Sligo traffic

Well-backed second favourite Noble Nation (7/2) and market leader Dark Viper pulled clear of their rivals to fight out the finish of the Carlsberg Handicap and it was the first-named who found a bit extra to score by a length and three-quarters.

Shane Foley, bidding for a hat-trick, produced Dark Viper with what looked like a perfectly-timed challenge down the outer but the gaps had opened for Sheridan who had ridden for luck down the inner and his mount responded well to record a first victory on his sixth start.

Owned and trained by Ger O'Leary, the winner is a half-brother to the yard's eight-time winner Primo Uomo.

Sheridan said: "We were going to keep it uncomplicated but the big thing with him is to keep him relaxed, so I just sat on him coming out of the stalls. I got a lovely run through. It was tight coming down the straight but when you have the horse to take you there, you can get through the gaps.

"He was green when he hit the front and there's plenty of room for improvement."

"His future is going to be in handicaps and an ease in the ground around here, and going through those gaps, will make a man of him."

O'Leary added: "I thought there were going to be traffic issues and that we wouldn't get through, but Joey was patient and did a brilliant job. He's still a bit green but will get better and braver with racing."