John O'Shea opened his account in the training ranks when saddling Prospectors Gamble to take the N.C.F. Meats Handicap Hurdle at a well-attended Sligo yesterday.
Keiran Kelly's mount was never far off the pace, and got the better of second reserve Cheeky Harry in the closing stages for a neck victory. O'Shea (27) took out a licence last November, and has a mixed string of 12 in Co. Kilkenny.
Tadhg O'Shea (18) from Mallow, Co Cork, recorded his second winner aboard Class Society for his boss Michael Halford in the Foleys Bar & Off Licence Handicap. Akasian was expected to defy a mandatory 5lb penalty for scoring at Wexford on Friday but the 2/5 favourite could find no extra when headed well inside the final furlong.
Paul Scallan has missed much of this season after successive shoulder and hand injuries but the talented apprentice got off the mark for the year when giving Aine's Choice a fine ride to take the N.C.F. Sligo Dairies Handicap. The Donie Hassett-trained top-weight headed Orchestral Springs a furlong out to score by a length.
Orchestral Springs' rider Fran Berry went one better half-an-hour earlier aboard Caumshinaun in the John Perry Maiden. The 5/4 favourite drew clear in the final 100 yards to beat Faithfulbond by four and a half lengths.
