Loughmore first leg of double for Berrys

SLIGO staged the opening evening meeting Of the year yesterday when the track's new weighroom, viewing balcony, bars and Tote outlets were in operation for the first time. The improvements cost £300,000.

Ten times NH champion rider Frank Berry saddled his first winner at the western venue since joining the training ranks when Loughmogue, partnered by his 16 year old son and namesake, forged to the front soon after the turn in to land the Club Orange Handicap.

Sligo was a lucky place for me as a rider, but I don't know how many horses I've sent up here to try and train a winner,"said Berry of his seven year old mare who relished the testing conditions to hold off Travel North and Pat Shanahan.

Bicycle Thief, trained by Christy Roche, caught the eye of the stewards after running on close home to finish fourth under young Richie Condon. At the inquiry they cautioned Con don for his lack of effort in the concluding stages of the six and a half furlongs dash.

The Berry father and son team combined to complete a 48 1/2 to 1 double in the Journeyman Bar Apprentice Handicap when Mayasta sprouted wings from the rear to win going away, resulting in the £10,000 Jackpot pool going forward to the next fixture, on June 1st. The runaway winner, who was watched by owner J P McManus, may contest the Murphys Irish Stout Handicap Hurdle at Killarney next month, according to his trainer.

Champion rider John Murtagh had little difficulty in bringing his seasonal tally to five when he drew steadily clear on Donie Hassett's That's Logic to score by seven lengths in the Strandhill Maiden. Hasset, who trains in Quin, Co Clare, said: "He loves that ground and, if he comes out of the race OK, he may run at the Curragh on Saturday." He added, If we don't go to the Curragh there is a one mile handicap at Killarney for him."

Arthur Moore and Fran Woods continued their rich vein of form when Veredarius responded bravely to a strong drive from the last to just pip Chatterbuck and Dermot McLoughlin by the minimum margin after a titanic battle in the Union Food Distributors Beginners Chase.

Wally's Run, off the track since, suffering a cut to his fetlock which, required seven stitches at Gowran last January, edged past Caragh Bridge on the run in to win the Glencar Handicap Chase for Bill Lanigan and Liam Cusack.