Greenpanda overcomes lengthy absence under Whearty

Greenpanda overcame a lengthy absence to claim the finale at Sligo today, the Hazelwood Handicap.

Last successful at Roscommon in September of 2018, the daughter of Jeremy was placed five times since and was third on her most recent outing which came over flights at Naas in February of 2020.

Available at 20/1 in early shows, the Gavin Cromwell trained seven-year-old eventually went off a 12/1 chance under ten-pound claimer Robert Whearty (partnering his third winner).

Settled in second, the bay victor was pushed along on the approach to the straight and got to the front over a furlong from home, keeping on well from there to score by a length-and-a-half in the colours of the Poetry In Motion Syndicate. Enquire Within (10/1) kept on well to take second under Conor Maxwell for Maura McGuinness, while Clan Jock (5/1) was a head back in third. Brehon Star was sent off the 9/2 favourite and he finished a disappointing ninth for local trainer Mark McNiff.

The winning handler was represented by Feidhlim Cunningham, who said: "She hadn't run for a year and a half. The first day she didn't get in as a reserve this year was the first of June and we've been waiting for a bit of easy ground with her ever since.

"She's been declared a couple of times and the ground has just been too quick.

"The handicapper gave her a bit of a chance as well and dropped her a few pounds for her absence and Robbie's great value for his claim as well.

"It worked out a dream. Robbie said the ground was dead and it was perfect for her, so it rewarded our patience."

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan