Eddie a local winner for McNiff at Sligo

Local trainer Mark McNiff was back in the winners' enclosure at his home track following the success of Sneddy Eddie in the Wildroots Festival Handicap at Sligo.

The Churchill gelding hadn't shown a great deal in three runs in maidens prior to his handicap debut at Gowran Park recently but knew his job here and was smartly away from stalls under Ronan Whelan.

The benefit of that initial experience in handicap company certainly wasn't lost on the McNiff runner as he repelled all challengers in the straight to land the spoils by three-quarters-of-a-length.

Ronan Whelan said: "It was straightforward. He jumped well,we were drawn two and the horse in stall one took us along so it was a nice race for me.

"He was a bit unexposed. He didn't have the run of the race at Gowran and Paddy Harnett looked after him. He told me he'd run a big race today.

"It's a big advantage when you've a low draw and you can get out, and we were on the freshest ground as well.

"He will stay further and his pedigree would suggest that as well. He's a little bit buzzy but the more racing he gets, the more he'll mature and settle down."

"It's nice to get a winner for Mark at his local track."

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan