Reigning champion Ruby Walsh moved onto the five-winner mark for the new National Hunt season when Penndara returned to form to take the featured Heineken Handicap Hurdle in very testing conditions at Sligo yesterday evening.
The 10-year-old grey, who last tasted victory in a chase at Cork over 18 months ago, cruised to the front between the final two flights, and was eased considerably on the run-in to record a six-length margin over fellow 9 to 4 joint-favourite The Uilleann Piper.
"I will find a two-mile conditions chase for him in the next few weeks," said trainer Frances Crowley afterwards.
Tom Hogan saddled a double at this venue earlier this month, and the Nenagh handler repeated the feat when completing an 181 to 1 success with Roses Niece and Newtown Breeze.
Roses Niece kept on strongly in the straight to beat Inny Lady by nine lengths in the Sligo Park Hotel Handicap Hurdle, while Hogan's first juvenile runner Newtown Breeze proved a narrow winner under Derek Stamp in the Goffs Maiden.
