Slygufftou gamely brings up his hat-trick

Michael McCullagh's Slygufftou brought up his hat-trick with a game effort in the three mile handicap hurdle at Sligo that saw him edge out Steel King by a short head.

Cheekpieces seemed to have made a big difference to the six-year-old grey gelding. He sported them at Wexford in July when winning a three mile handicap hurdle and then followed up in an extended two mile seven handicap hurdle. They were on again today.

He started his winning run on a mark of 93 but raced off 106 today (103 with Luke Dempsey's claim factored in) and the handicapper almost had his measure.

He made good headway to tack on to the back of Steel King and Medinah Gold after the second last.

The whips were drawn by all three jockeys as their horses raced towards the last. Steel King was narrowly in front with Slygufftou chasing him down. Medinah Gold was a length back in third. Steel King held the advantage on the run-in but Slygufftou got his head in front where it mattered - right on the line.

He won at 11/4 with Steel King a 5/1 shot. Medinah Gold, the 7/4 favourite, finished five lengths away in third.

Owner/breeder Ivan Kidd said: "I couldn't sell him as a three year old when nobody saw the potential in him!"

Kidd's phone, in his pocket, then rang and he quipped "that could be Gigginstown!"

He added: "I thought he was caught (in the photo-finish) but that was great. I'm a farmer from Bagnelstown and also breed a few horses."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes