Last season's Irish Grand National winning trainer Dermot McLoughlin was on the mark in the Drumcliffe Maiden Hurdle at Sligo today, scoring with the Adam Short-partnered Digby

The son of Tobougg, the 11/4 favourite, was produced by Short to lead on the run-in and scored by four lengths from Dinero Falso

McLoughlin enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2020/21 due to Freewheelin Dylan's Fairyhouse Easter win and following today's fifth win of the new season, he said “the form was in the book and he had been consistent.

“I think the ground was a bit quick for him in Galway and he's a big horse who appreciated that juice in the ground. He jumped much better and we had been aiming at that, so that was a plus as well.

“Adam (Short) said he couldn’t pull him up afterwards and said he’s definitely a three-miler. He said he was only getting going at the line. He’s a grand horse, he's just got his confidence so hopefully it’s onwards and upwards with him.”

Quotes from Mark Nunan