Walsh hat-trick at Sligo at double carpet

Mark Walsh (now within one of Ruby Walsh at the head of the rider standings) completed a 33/1 Sligo treble when getting Colin Bowe's 9/10 favourite Shantou Flyer home by half a length in the concluding Foley's Bar & Off Licence Chase at Cleveragh.

The four-runner two mile five event boiled down to a match between Shantou Flyer, and Shadow Catcher from before the straight.

On the run-in it was Shantou Flyer that pulled out just enough to prevail by half a length.

There were sizeable breaks of fourteen lengths, and seventy four lengths, to Un Beau Roman and Rossvoss in third and fourth.

Walsh's earlier winners were Perfect Woman (for Mick Winters) and Badgerfort (for Niall Madden). He went down narrowly on Drumlee in the 3.50.

"The trip was a bit sharp but the stiff track played into his hands," said Bowe.

"Mark made plenty of use of him, and he's a nice novice over a staying trip. All he does is grinds away."

(AM & EM)