A carnival atmosphere lights up season's end
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GLORIOUS sunshine, a bumper crowd, which included over 800 students from IT Sligo, a sparkling double by Ruby Walsh, and an appearance in the winners' enclosure by Irish recording star, Mick Foster, all contributed to a carnival atmosphere at the closing fixture of the 2011 season at Sligo Races on Wednesday last.
The scenic Cleveragh course was at its majestic best in the autumnal sun and the glamour and youthful exuberance of the local students added a welcome touch of style and elegance to an exciting afternoon's racing.
Walsh, who rode his 1,000th Irish winner at Sligo a few years ago, clearly has a liking for the North West track and rewarded his legion of supporters with a quick-fire double in the second and third races.
He got off the mark when he steered 8/11 favourite, Traffic Article, to a half-length victory over Kakagh in the Martin Reilly Motors Hyundai Steeplechase. The winner was trained by Gordon Elliot who was gaining quick compensation for the tragic loss of Brave Beauty who suffered a fatal fall in the opening race.
Walsh completed his double aboard 15/8 favourite, Give Us A Hand, in the Frank O'Beirne Memorial Beginners Chase. Tracking the leaders on the final circuit, Walsh sent his mount clear entering the home straight and stormed away to a devastating 15 length victory. The winner is trained in Wexford by John A Berry.
One of the most competitive races on the card was the Cleveragh Road Handicap Chase which was won by the Foster & Allen Syndicate owned, Westmeath Bachelor. A recent second to the wellregarded Ardglen at Ballinrobe, the winner made the most of a mistake by Second Glance two out to take the spoils. Mick Foster from the famous singing duo was on hand two welcome in the winner which is trained by Cecil Ross and was given a great ride by Brian Cash.
The Charlie Swan trained, Stephanie Kate, which was fifth behind the mighty mare Quevega at the Cheltenham festival in March was sent off 6-4 favourite for the opening Strandhill Mares Beginners Chase but had to give second best to Our Victoria (7/2), ridden by Andrew McNamara for Colin Bowe.
Leggy Lad, backed in from 20s to 12/1, landed a gamble for the McConville family in the Sligo IT Student Day at Sligo Races Beginners Chase. It was the first racecourse winner for amateur jockey, 22 years old Michael McConville from Portadown.
James Lambe, who has a good strike rate at Sligo, sent out City of Doral (5/1) to win the Foley's Bar and Off Licence Handicap Chase. Ridden by Eddie O'Connell, the
winner thwarted Ardglen's bid to land a fourth win in nine days.
The concluding Follow Sligo on Facebook Flat Race was won by Meister Eckhart. The 7/4 joint favourite from the Charlie Swan yard was given a typically flawless ride by Nina Carberry.
