Shamash much too good in Sligo

Shamash found some ground to his liking down the stands side in Sligo and came home best to take the spoils in the extended mile and two maiden.

The three-year-old was always prominent and eased to the head of affairs from Chief Count at the three pole.

Shane Foley sent him about his business with over a quarter of a mile to race and he took a couple of lengths out of the field at the two pole.

Foley steered Shamash towards the stands-side rail inside the final furlong and he kept up the gallop to score by five and a half lengths at 9/2 (from 11/2 on opening show). Crossandra (9/2) raced track-width apart in the last furlong and took second. Miss Ballygally who raced in the centre of the straight, came in third at 50/1. She was beaten seven lengths by the winner.

Trainr Mick Halford said: "The better ground seemed to be under the stands' rail and I spoke to Lorcan Wyer (Clerk of the Course) beforehand and then told Dusty (Shane Foley) to come out if he was going well. He probably would have won anyway though.

"He had a very good first run but the ground was a shade too quick on his second run and he doesn't want it as extreme as that.

"He's an easygoing horse at home and should improve during the year and we'll see what mark he gets now."

This was a step up in tri for Shamash who was fourth over seven furlongs in Gowran Park and fifth in a mile maiden at the Curragh.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes