Raven flies around Sligo as Hayes doubles up

Chris Hayes completed a 47/1 double when in race two at Sligo, he added to his first race gains on Gun Shoot as his boss Kevin Prendergast's Rathbride Raven dominated in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction Maiden.

Soon in front, Rathbride Raven kept up the gallop in the straight to see off Gossip Central (backed into 10/1 from fancy prices earlier) by two lengths.

Even money favourite Stanley Daley turned in a very laboured effort which saw him cross the line sixth of the eight.

"That wasn't he plan. I had intended to drop her in as we thought we put her on her head the last day," said Hayes.

"I got a bump from Mick Halford's filly and it set her alight. I said I'd let her go rather than try and haul out of her.

"She lobbed away in front and I couldn't believe at the top of the hill nothing was coming at me.

"If she hadn't run at Fairyhouse she'd have been favourite as it was a terrible ordinary race.

"She did everything right the first day and was a little green in the closing stages.

"We fancied her strongly last time but had no excuses. Maybe the race was too hot or came a bit soon. Maybe the extra half furlong suited here.

"Hopefully the handicapper doesn't read too much into it and hopefully she'll go to Galway. She'll get further and the seven-furlong nursery there looks tailor made.

"As the year progresses she'll be a nice filly."

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Stanley Daley, trained by J.P. Murtagh, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

(GC & EM)