Alhaajeb strikes on debut for McAuley Alhaajeb claimed the opener at Sligo, the Rockshore Lager Claiming Race, on what was his debut for James McAuley. Previously trained by Adrian McGuiness, the Exceed And Excel four-year-old was claimed by current connections for E11,000 after finishing third at Ballinrobe last month. Sent off an easy to back 13/2 chance, the bay victor was settled behind the leaders by Shane Foley and was pushed along to challenge between horses from the two furlong pole. In front from early in the straight, he was soon ridden and kept on well inside the final furlong, coming home a-length-and-three parts to the good. Jaafel (11/4) had to settle for second under Daniel King for Denis Hogan, while the front-running Purdey's Gift (14/1) was just a nose away in third. Bringsty was sent off the 9/4 favourite (from 13/2 early) and he finished a disappointing eighth. "After we won the claimer at Ballinrobe last month with Mischief Star, my brother claimed this horse with this race in mind because it was capped to horses rated no more than 70," McAuley said. "The two horses that beat him there weren't eligible for it. "We were worried when we saw the ground starting to ease but it probably didn't ride too bad there in the first race. If it was later in the evening he might have struggled, but I can't really be sure because I don't have him that long. He's a grand straightforward horse." The winner was later claimed for E15,000 by Rachel O'Neill to be trained by John 'Shark' Hanlon, while Bringsty (E6,000) was claimed by John McConnell. STEWARDS REPORTS * At the request of the Stewards, R.P. Whelan, rider of Bringsty (GB), trained by Adrian McGuinness, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount got no run in this race. * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Bringsty (GB), trained by Adrian McGuinness, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. * The Stewards reviewed an incident after leaving the back straight involving Jaafel, ridden by D. King, and Aleksey Tolstoy, ridden by G.F. Carroll where it appeared that Jaafel was holding his racing line when receiving contact from Aleksey Tolstoy on his inner. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted. Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
