Trainer John McConnell and retained apprentice jockey Siobhan Rutledge combined for their first respective Laytown wins today, as Bringsty (11/1) arrived from last-to-first when landing the Tote Proudly Sponsoring Claiming Race.

Bringsty's rating had fallen 28lb in a year, was claimed for just €6,000 at Sligo on August 3 and today, with head held high, arrived from well off the pace to beat Mosaaheb

It was a well judged ride from Rutledge, who punched the air at the line, and afterwards McConnell said “it was the most obvious plan in the world to come here and he enjoyed it.

"I told Siobhan to keep him wide the whole way, as I don't think he likes being crowded. It was a minimum trip for him, he warmed into it and enjoyed passing horses. He enjoyed not being bumped and hassled around the place.

He added “he has a funny head carriage but she said he was genuine to the line. He had a lot of form and there have been a lot of issues so he's not going back up to what he was, but you could see his ability.

All ten runners had an asking price of €5,000 with McConnell fortunately claiming back Bringsty in a draw.

Runner-up Mossaheb was claimed Rachael O'Neill to be trained by John 'Shark' Hanlon, third-placed Lion Ring by trainer Thomas Coyle, fourth-placed Praying Mantis was bought by Ben White to be trained by James Larkin, while seventh-placed Harbanaker was claimed by Leane Breen.

Fifth-placed Guessthebill stays with owner/trainer James McAuley, having also been the subject of a friendly claim.

Quotes from Michael Graham