Val makes it two from two at Sligo

Faith Du Val was left to come home a cosy winner on her first outing over fences in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase at Sligo this afternoon.

Gavin Cromwell 's charge had also been an easy winner of her maiden hurdle at the venue in August 2021 and was making it two wins in two visits to the track.

Keith Donoghue produced the 7/2 shot to take a narrow lead over the second last in the two-mile-one contest and she was left with a clear advantage when nearest pursuer Hidden Land fell at the final fence.

The No Risk At All mare could afford to ease down in the closing stages as she posted a 15-length win over 7/4 favourite Mighty Meggsie

Cromwell said: "She's been jumping great at home and she won a maiden hurdle around here so we knew she'd handle the place. She was in great nick at home.

"The little ease in the ground was ideal for her. They went a right good gallop which probably suited.

"She looked good when she won her hurdle and looked good again today, but they probably weren't great races.

“I thought the handicapper was hard enough on her after winning a maiden hurdle and she just struggled to go on from there. We'll see what the handicapper does here and take it from there."

(Quotes by Mark Nunan)