Top Madam bounces back to form

Donal Coffey’s mare Top Madam (9/4 favourite) bounced back to winning form when landing the Marin Reilly BMW Dealer Novice Hurdle at Sligo last night, staying on stoutly from the second last to beat market rival Dara Tango by a length.

Noel O’Neill, representing owner-trainer Coffey, explained: “She disappointed us in Killarney, where she ran a bit flat.

“We freshened her up and she was a different mare today. She’s tough and she stays and will probably have a short break before going for the mares’ novice in Listowel.”

The Maddens, ‘Boots’ and ‘Slippers’ made it three wins from their last three runners when Urhavnalaugh landed a tidy gamble (3/1 to 5/4) in the Leo McMorrow, coming home strongly, having struggled to collar Whiskey Galore and win by a length.

The winning trainer said: “Niall said he never travelled on the track or ground, because he’s a good actioned horse.

“But it’s great that he won for J P (McManus).”

The featured Guinness Sligo Handicap Hurdle went to the father-and-son combination of Pat and Tony Kelly when King Ali outpointed Cavite Beta and Davy Russell by a head.