The concluding two and a half mile maiden hurdle on Sligo’s card became a three horse race as Some Officer (11/8f), Our Maimie and Better Back Bob pulled clear, and it was the favourite who obliged.

Some Officer and Kevin Sexton fought off Our Maimie after the last flight and was driven out to win by three and a quarter lengths. Our Maimie was returned at 7/1 in second while it was eight lengths further back to Better Back Bob in third at 20/1.

This was a notable display from Better Back Bob who last ran in a point-to-point 479 days ago. His last racecourse outing was 722 days ago.

Tom Hogan trains Some Officer and he said: “He’s a grand horse. He was a bit green over hurdles the first time, but he jumped the last two brilliantly.

“He’s small. He might be good enough to win an ordinary winners’ race somewhere. A test of stamina suits him and he’ll make a three-mile hurdler, he’s gutsy.

“He goes with a bit of cut. He wouldn’t want real deep ground, but he goes on soft.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson