The opening race at the penultimate meeting of the year at Sligo Racecourse, the Wednesday 28th September at Sligo Auction Race, went the way of the 11/4 joint favourite Blue Mimosa for her trainer Kevin Prendergast with Declan McDonogh aboard.

The daughter of Holy Roman Emperor was last seen winning her maiden over the course and distance in June. She had the beating of three of today's rivals on that run.

She made all to win last time out just holding on at the line, but today she tracked the leaders in third, before being riding to challenge over two furlongs out.

She got on terms with Beau Amadeus who led into the straight, under a furlong out and gained a narrow lead close home, keeping on well to holding off the late challenge of Legal Peace (4/1), for Willie McCreery and Ronan Whelan, by an neck.

Beau Amadeus, who was backed from 11/2 into 4/1, was just a short head back in third, with the other 11/4 joint favourite Ok Annie who was backed from 9/2, four and a half lengths back in fourth.

Winning rider Declan McDonogh said afterwards: "He heart is in the right place and she is tough and genuine.

"That ground is tacky enough for 2yo's. She seemed to handle the track well, that wasn't a surprise considering she won over the course last time out."

Donal Murphy