Rattle And Hum and Jake Coen © Photo Healy Racing
The 2/1 second favourite Rattle And Hum was an authoritative winner of the concluding 1m5f maiden at Sligo to round off a good evening's work for trainer Joseph O'Brien after his opening race treble at Killarney.
The New Bay gelding, second in handicap company at Cork on his previous start, was close to the pace throughout and Jake Coen sent him on entering the straight. Soon clear, he stayed on well to beat Votre Homme by three and a quarter lengths.
The winner's stablemate Rapparee Champ made a promising debut to take third but a slow start scuppered the chances of 11/10 favourite Nikini who made some late headway into fourth.
"I'd no doubts about him staying the longer trip," said Coen.
"We went quite steady and at the three pole he really jumped into the bit for me and I knew then that I was away. He picked them up quite smartly and I'm very happy with him.
"He has the pace to come back in trip if necessary, he ran a big race over a mile and a quarter last time.
"He travelled really good today and is quite a relaxed horse, very easy to deal with and just pleases you."
