Berry out in front on consistent Diyla; SLIGO.

Byline: Justin O'Hanlon

FRAN BERRY gave a fine, frontrunning ride to the consistent mare Diyla, who registered her third success in the opening 1m4f handicap.

Having briefly been challenged by runner-up Frutti Tutti early in the straight, she found plenty more and drew clear to score by a couple of lengths. "She's won here before and was a bit unlucky here last year, finishing second twice," said trainer Mick Flannery.

He added: "It's nice to get these and she got a great ride. We've the choice now of going back over hurdles." Like the trainer, owner Tim Kelly hails from Ballinrobe.

It was a big evening for rider

Eddie Linehan, as the 16-yearold from Mallow in Cork rode his first winner. He was seen to pretty good effect, too, in a competitive claiming race, as he got the Willie Mullins-trained Shanghai Star home by a short head from Seamie Heffernan on Fleeting Moment.

"I did a lot of pony racing and rode 45 winners on the southern circuit," said the winning rider, who was having just his fourth ride on the track.

Paul Nolan saddled a rare winner on the Flat as Danny Mullins brought Guitar Man from the back to win the 1m 2f handicap.

The son of Tagula asserted inside the final furlong to beat Silent

Decision by two and a half lengths without too much fuss.

"He's been a bit disappointing in the past, so I told Danny to take his time and not to arrive too soon," said Nolan. "He gave it a grand little ride. We'll stick to the same sort of handicap as he's a small horse, and whether he sees out two miles over hurdles remains to be seen." Proceedings were delayed for nine minutes as alterations were made to a running rail on the bend past the stands.

"There was a query about the width of the track and there was a request by the jockeys for a track alteration," said clerk of the course Ion Hamilton..