There was a shock in the opener at Sligo as Katys Girl landed the mares beginners chase with hotpot Dressedtothenines well held in third.

Gillian Callaghan's charge made all in the 2m1f event and opened up a healthy gap going down the hill on the final circuit.

Dressedtothenines, who was easy to back from 4/6 to evens, closed the gap three from home but was soon pushed along to challenge at the next.

An slightly slow leap there put her under pressure and she cried enough before the last. It was 33/1 shot Littletown Lass who came through to throw down a challenge on the run-in.

Katys Girl stuck her head out gamely for Keith Donoghue, however, to gain a two-length verdict.

The 14/1 winner was making her debut over fences having proven a consistent sort over timber, winning twice. She holds a current rating of 109 over hurdles whereas Dressedtothenines is 145.

“She likes to make the running and she got an easy lead,” reported Donoghue afterwards.

“She jumped very well, she's tough and she really kept going.

“We knew her first run over fences would probably be her best. She won well a few runs ago at Kilbeggan but has just disappointed a bit after as she's gone a bit clever.

“We were a bit afraid of the ground but she seemed to go on it. She's very fit as she's been running all summer.

“I thought going to the second last I might struggle a bit but as she heard them coming she kept picking up and won easy in the end.

“She's a bit in and out but when she's on a going day she's very good.”

The ground was changed to heavy after the running of the first race. The course had been hit by a couple of serious downpours around an hour before the action got underway.

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)