Early Arrival and Kieran Callaghan© Photo Healy Racing
The James Barcoe trained Early Arrival was delivered with a well timed challenge by Kieran Callaghan to win the featured Lighthouse At Clifford Electrical Handicap Hurdle at Sligo.
Runner-up at Ballinrobe on his previous start, the nine-year-old was always in the leading half dozen or so, as Andyourbirdcansing made the running under Danny Mullins.
The latter found plenty for pressure when challenged after two out but had no more to offer on the run to the final flight, as Early Arrival took over in front. The Truant made late headway down the outside to throw down the final challenge but Early Arrival was always holding that rival.
Kieran Callaghan said: "He never runs a bad race. I don't know how many times I've been placed on him and my third time winning on him. He's a great fun horse for the lads.
"It's tough enough work out there, especially for these summer horses, so he had to be tough and he was.
"When Kevin (Sexton, on The Truant) came to me after the last, I was still confident enough because he's a laid-back sort of horse and finds loads under pressure, and I hadn't asked him for anything at that stage.
"Jimmy's horses have been running well all summer and I think he might go back chasing with this lad because he has a nice mark over fences."
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan.
