Bachelor benefits as Glance blunders

Westmeath Bachelor enjoyed a slice of luck to claim the Cleveragh Road Handicap Chase at Sligo. Second Glance looked to be in control going to the second last in the 2m1f contest only to blunder badly.

Barry Cash drove Westmeath Bachelor into the lead as the 3/1 favourite tried to recover.

Second Glance tried hard to battle back from the final fence but couldn't find a way past Cecil Ross' charge, who stuck on gamely for a three-parts-of-a-length win.

The 11/2 winner had run into the in-form Ardglen at Ballinrobe last time and was defying a 3lb rise for finishing second to that rival.

"He was entitled to be thereabouts as he ran a hell of a race at Ballinrobe," said Ross afterwards.

"I thought the dead ground might be against him but he battled well.

"I have to thank Michelle O'Connor as she has treated him for various muscle problems and has done a brilliant job.

"We couldn't ever get any mileage out of him as it always took six weeks to recover from a race.

"He's better on better ground and we'll keep him on the go."

Ross also revealed that the gelding's appearance, similar to that of a hunter, had led to some confusion at Ballinrobe racecourse last time.

"I was walking one of my horses into the stableyard before they stopped Westmeath Bachelor at the gates and told us we weren't allowed to bring any companion horses!"

Gary Carson