MICHAEL HOURIGAN, who gave notice that his horses were returning to form at Listowel on Saturday, saddled River Unshion to win the Smirnoff Handicap Hurdle at Sligo yesterday.

With Hourigan's son Michael in the saddle, River Unshion comfortably beat the Paul Carberry ridden Bobby Jo by two lengths and his next engagement will be at the Doncaster Sales in two weeks times.

Carberry was fancied to go one better in the Union Food Distributers Beginners Chase, but his mount, even money favourite Tout Va Bien, fell when in front at the third last fence.

His premature exit left Wally's Run and Anthony Powell clear to win by six lengths from the Hourigan trained Ask The Leader, a welcome winner for trainer Bill Lanigan.

Jim Dreaper's Trassey Bridge, backed from 5 to 2 to 6 to 4 favourite, looked set to land the Glencar Handicap Chase by a wide margin when she jumped the final fence four lengths clear.

But Francis Woods never gave up on Timely Affair and gave favourite backers a fright when getting to within half a length at the line.

On the flat, Niall McCullough got his third winner of the season when Jimmy Coogan's Dillons Taxi battled well to beat the Michael Kinane ridden Tilbrook by a neck in the Ballisodare Handicap.

Jason Behan rode his second winner in as many days and also his third of the year on the Strandhill Maiden which he won on the Edward O'Grady trained 7 to 1 chance Polygueza. Dermot Hogan never gave up on Garaiyba in the Bistro Bianconi Handicap and his efforts were rewarded when the John Oxx trained filly swooped late to beat Make An Effort.

. Jewellers Garrard are to sponsor the Goodwood Cup boosting total prize money to £1.94 million at the Sussex track this year. Garrard are to back the Group Two event for the first time raising the value of the two miles contest to £60,000 added.

Despite cuts by the Levy Board and European Breeders Fund, the course announced yesterday that it has managed to cover the losses with a £100,000 injection from the track itself.