Sheen Falls Time wins on handicap debut under Crosse

Having just the fourth start of her career and first outside of maiden company, Sheen Falls Time ran out a comfortable winner of the Enda McGoldrick, Plant & Agri Hire Handicap at Sligo.

Trained on the Curragh by John O'Donoghue, the daughter of Fastnet Rock seemed to appreciate the better ground which she was encountering for the first time.

Held up in mid division as So Diligent made the running, Nathan Crosse was hard at work over two furlongs out as James Ryan kicked on up front.

Responding quickly to move second entering the home straight, Sheen Falls Time led over a furlong out, before keeping on nicely to prevail by three-and-three-quarter lengths.

John O'Donoghue said: "I was looking forward to the drying weather with her. It's testing up the Curragh straight, especially on heavy ground, so it was a big change here from that last run and it led to a big change in performance.

"I think Nathan was taking her back for at least half of the race. Drawn one made that, he was able to slot her in and he just waited to strike. She's a tenacious filly and rallied the whole way to the line.

"We were quietly confident, we had her in a weak race. She's a nice, big, strong filly and hopefully there's a nice summer ahead of her."

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan.