"That's great. He got his ground and was impressive there," said Andy Slattery after his An Saighdiur (7/2 favourite) brought up a double for himself and Declan McDonogh in the Darcy Contract Cleaning Services Rated Race at Sligo.

The red-hot pair had struck in the opener with Jose Echegaray and here An Saigdiur was soon in front and looking good on his way to a four and a half length dismissal of Bubbly Bellini

"I thought Bubbly Bellini would be the danger," reflected Slattery.

He added: "He's been coming back to himself. He was very sick in mid-summer but has been coming back steadily.

"On that ground he's a fair horse. When you get it nearly unraceable that's when you can fancy him.

"He was drawn wide in nine but Declan got him across and was able to dictate it.

"The owners like a trip to Ayr. He has run well there and was placed twice in the Silver Cup but hasn't really got it soft enough."

An Saighdiur, translates across as the soldier, and the nine-year-old Acclamation gelding certainly has done his bit for the Men Of Forty Eight Syndicate and

Slattery. This was his tenth win to go with many placings from seventy eight starts.

(GC & EM)