Confirmed mudlark Vasoni relished the soft ground at Sligo as she comfortably justified favouritism in Division1 of the seven furlong handicap.

Punters had latched on to the five-year-old mare during the day as her price contracted from 7/2 to 5/2 and indeed she was returned the 9/4 favourite.

A welter 10 stone on her back didn’t impede her today as Billy Lee brought her to the front at the furlong pole and away she went for a decisive victory by two and three parts of a length.

Thurles-based trainer Timothy Doyle said: “She did it well. It’s a long journey here, but it will be an easy drive home. That’s her fourth win over six or seven furlongs. She’s a specialist over the distance and ground. She has to have a bit of cut.

“She could go for a race in Roscommon in a fortnight’s time. There should be a nice race for her in Listowel. From now on the ground should be in her favour and we’ll tip away over the autumn as long as she stays in good form.” Gatamalata ran her best race on turf for some time. Always in the front rank, she kept on for second at 12/1. She had her first career victory on Dundalk’s polytrack in July. Hatton Cross took third at 14/1.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson