Sailors Warn scores in style© Photo Healy Racing
Sailors Warn justified his short price in the mile-and-a-half handicap at Sligo when running out an impressive winner under Fran Berry.
Edward O'Grady 's charge was sent to the front turning for home and powered clear in the closing stages to post a five-length success.
The even-money favourite (7/4 this morning) ran on late when last seen on the Flat at Leopardstown in March over seven furlongs and appreciated today's step up in trip.
“He was a course winner over ten furlongs as a three-year-old and he seems to like the place,” said O'Grady.
“The danger looked the top-weight and he didn't seem to run his race which made things easier.
“He might go for a hurdle in Killarney. There is a two-and-a-half mile winners hurdles on the Monday and he'll also get an entry for the handicap there.
“We were disappointed with him in Fairyhouse last time, maybe it was the weight as he's a small horse and he also got knocked about a bit."
Sailors Warn was fifth in the 2012 running of the Galway Hurdle and O'Grady hasn't ruled out a return to Ballybrit:-
“Everyone would have a go at the Galway Hurdle with the prize-money. If we got Jezki at the top it would be a help as he'd be down the bottom of the handicap!”