Ben Button© Photo Healy Racing
Galway winner Ben Button is the stand out name in the feature event at Sligo on Thursday, the BoyleSports Handicap Hurdle.
The son of Double Eclipse finally made the breakthrough on just his second start for Willie Mullins at Ballybrit on Sunday, coming home an easy 12-length winner under Ruby Walsh.
The seven-year-old gelding is again ridden by Walsh here, and he will carry just a 4lb winner's penalty despite going up 14lb in the handicap. Kylecrue has won this race the last two years and he is an obvious danger, while others for the shortlist are Darkest Flyer, Seskinane and Gladiator King
Mullins and Walsh team-up with Sharps Choice in the opening Clayton Hotel Maiden Hurdle, and this chestnut gelding can be expected to go close after filling the runner-up spot on his last two starts.
Five have been declared for the SF Engineering Consulting Hurdle, and Walsh will be aboard Ted Veale here for Tony Martin.
The 10-year-old gelding ran well to finish second on the level at Galway last week and he should be able to get the better of main rival The Game Changer here.
Gordon Elliott trains The Game Changer, and his Dalouga looks the one to side with in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (Ladies Pro/Am) Flat Race.
Elliott saddles Mistamel and Broughtons Star in the Harrington Concrete And Quarries Handicap Hurdle, and they both look to have solid claims. Effernock Lad won this race 12 months ago and he is sure to have plenty of supporters, while Celtic Monarch is another to consider for local trainer Mark McNiff. Successor was far from disgraced at Galway last week and he should prove hard to beat in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle, while The Rite Article should give a good account of himself in the competitive Bourbon Bar Handicap Hurdle.
