A sliding handicap rating was taken advantage off by Three Bells in the extended six furlong handicap at Sligo.

Pat Downey’s charge raced today off 59 having been as high as 71 last October. He was fifth last-time out off 61 and delivered tonight when dropped another of pounds.

Flom the plum stall one draw Wayne Lordan got him away quickly into an early lead. Chillie Billie soon passed him, but at the two pole Three Bells on the inside got his head in front again.

In the home straight he opened up and asserted in the last furlong to win comprehensively by five lengths. He was returned the 5/2 favourite. Chillie Billie kept on for second at 8/1. He was half a length ahead of 11/4 shot and recent Limerick winner Pixie Spirit Spring Up (33/1) finished to good effect down the outside to be a neck out of the places in fourth.

Pat Downey said: “The horses haven’t been running well for some time, but he had come down the handicap and if the handicapper is half decent to him he might just get another one. I did fancy him big time today. He’s like the trainer, he’s as honest as the day is long!”

Three Bells was overturning his form behind Pixie Spirit at Fairyhouse in May. Pixie Spirit was second there and beat Three Bells into fifth by just over four lengths.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee