Progressive Ramon Di Loria strikes for in-form Collins in 6f maiden

Curragh trainer Tracey Collins has started the new season well and saddled her second winner when the improving Ramon Di Loria landed the 6f maiden.

Rider Ronan Whelan kept it simple on a day when being close to the pace certainly paid dividends, and skipped a couple of lengths clear before holding off the effort of 9-4 favourite Eloso by three-parts-of-a length.

Ramon Di Loria is a son of Dandy Man, trained by Tracey's late father Con at Conyngham Lodge, as was the sire's dam Lady Alexander, and this horse bears a striking resemblance to that mare, as another chestnut with four white socks.

Perhaps that's where the similarities end but the three-year-old colt impressed with his attitude and should go on to better things.

Collins said: "We're delighted with him. His run at Dundalk last time was a good run and Ronan gave him a lovely ride. I think he'll keep coming forward, he's a nice horse and we've always liked him."

This was the first Flat meeting at Sligo since last August, a meeting which was curtailed after horses slipped up near the bend past the stands, but the condition of the track came in for particular praise this time.

Collins added: "I was a bit worried for this horse when I heard the description of good to yielding, but when I walked the track it was lovely ground and in great condition."

Joyce strikes

It was a red-letter day for 18-year-old apprentice Wesley Joyce from Moyross in Limerick, as 50-1 shot Hands Down gave him his first winner from his sixth ride.

Joyce brought the Mukhadram filly – trained in Donegal by Charlie Moore – from well back in the field to get up on the line and nail front-running Adams Barbour in the second division of the sprint handicap.

The apprentice, based with Johnny Murtagh, almost rode a winner on his first ride for his boss at Dundalk in February.

He said: "It's a great feeling to ride your first winner. My hopes for the season are to ride as many winners and get as many outside rides as I can."

One man cursing his luck might well have been Lee Smyth, trainer of runner-up Adams Barbour, as he was denied a double in the two divisions of this contest. He had scored in the first leg with the front-running Dolce Sicily, ridden by Leigh Roche.

Results, replays and analysis

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