Roche completes double with in-foal Divine Celt

Jockey Leigh Roche completed a double at Sligo today, steering last week's Leopardstown runner-up and in-foal Divine Celt (7/4f) to win the second division of the Durkin Bros Electrical Handicap for trainer Jarlath Fahey.

The daughter of Lawman was beaten a neck at Navan in May and failed by just a head at the Dublin venue on Thursday but as a result, was 4lbs 'well-in' on official ratings for today's race.

That 4lbs ratings differential mattered little however, as Divine Celt quickened clear in the home straight to record an easy six lengths win over Alice Milligan

Afterwards trainer Fahey stated “I’m delighted for the owners (the Callanans) and she had good form last year.

“She was a very expensive foal (100,000gns) and yearling (€150,000) and to get a win for her pedigree is all-important. She’s in foal to Phoenix Of Spain so we’ll tip away for another while with her.

“We’ll see what the handicapper does, she’s gone up a good few pounds already and if we can pick up another race along the way we will, but the job is done this evening.

“It was a brilliant ride by Leigh and he was very confident on her.”

Jockey Roche had earlier steered the Lee Smyth trained Dolce Sicily to win a sprint handicap.

Quotes from Mark Nunan