A first winner for Harney & a first ride in over three decades for Burke State Of Fame brought up plenty of bets in the concluding bumper at Sligo. He was available at 100/1 this morning before Mr Saxobeat and Quiet Escape were ruled out. He then opened at 18/1 and tumbled to 5/1 on the off. Aslukwoodhaveit, the 4/9 favourite, attempted to make all but couldn't keep up the gallop as he dropped to third. State Of Fame stayed on best to post a four and a quarter length success from Call Me Jim (16/1). Trainer Ross O'Sullivan said: “It’s young Tom Harney’s first track winner. He’s from near me in Punchestown and he’s ridden three point-to-point winners. “The dam of this one, Nirphania, had lots of potential as a racehorse but has been a bit unlucky as a broodmare, so it’s lovely to get a winner out of her. “This horse had a good first run (fourth at Thurles) and then lost his way a little bit, maybe through a little bit of weakness, through the winter. “In the last couple of weeks he has strengthened up really well. We were a bit worried about all the rain but he handled the ground well. “He’ll probably get three miles over hurdles. “I love coming to Sligo and it’s a lucky track for me.” Trainer Liam Burke returned to the saddle on board his own Shumard. This was the 64-year-old's first ride in over 33 years. The father of current National Hunt jockey Jonathan Burke came in sixth. He said: “I enjoyed that. He ran a nice race but I wasn’t fit enough! I’ll be better for the run and I’m looking forward to my next ride already!” Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
