Fearnwood Girl became the second previous course winner in three races to prevail at Sligo when she landed the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Novice Hurdle under a well-judged Andrew McNamara ride.

Riding the daughter of Dilshaan to exploit the obvious stamina that she has, McNamara kept the four-year-old going long enough to hold off the staying on Vivaldi by two lengths.

Tom McCourt trains Fearnwood Girl for his neighbour in Stamullen, County Meath, Jerome Doran and he said: "Making the running made all the difference. Andrew thought there wouldn't be much of a gallop and he did the right thing by going on. She stays well and loved the dig in the ground.

"She jumps those easyfix hurdles well and she is very genuine. Maybe she'll go handicapping now with Galway a possibility. It was a messy race when she ran in Ballinrobe last time."