Willie Mullins and Paul Townend combined to win the opening two races at Sligo today as 1/10 favourite Msassa won the Taylor Construction And Civil Works Hurdle half an hour after their Salsaretta won the opener at odds of 1/12.

Both winners made all the running to win their respective heats and it was Msassa which was made work harder for his success. Foxy Lass challenged at the third last before tiring entering the home straight, at which point runner-up Duke's Girl briefly threatened but at the line Msassa had a length and three parts to spare.

The winning son of Sholokhov had previously filled the '4' in his trainer's 1-2-3-4 in Punchestown's Champion 4YO Hurdle and following the race Townend mentioned “that was messy and I think he'll be better over further. He handled that ground well.”

The Mullins/Townend Sligo-double paid a measly E11.92 for a E10 bet.

Quotes from Gary Carson