Shortall brings up double on Donatis Comet

Donatis Comet showed his ability when stylishly winning the concluding two and a half mile maiden hurdle in Sligo. He brought up a race seven and race eight double for jockey Shane Shortall.

Sent off the even money favourite, Pat Fahy’s eight-year-old gelding ran fifth before closing into third at the second last. He was tanking along on the bit entering the straight and Shortall eased him into the lead at the last. He was ridden out to score by two and a half lengths. Old Castletown made up a lot of ground after the last to chase him home in second at 13/2 while front-running Via Del Corso kept on for third at 7/1.

Pat Fahy said: “We got it done eventually. I was sure the ground was better coming here and even when I got here, but Shane said it was testing on the inner. We had to go the long way around but it paid off.

“He got his ideal ground in Galway, when it was quick enough, but he didn't want to go on it in Limerick when maybe he was feeling the ground. Hopefully we'll get another one. We could look at a novice or a handicap hurdle in Galway or Bellewstown. He has also schooled well over fences and that could be the way to go in the future.”

This was Donatis Comet’s first attempt at the two and a half mile trip. He had finished third in Galway to Beckwith Star on his last start over two miles. He has now won a flat race, three bumpers and a maiden hurdle.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson