In-foal Toriangel strikes for Lavery & Rutledge

The second split of the GAIN The Advantage Series Handicap was won by 7/2 favourite Toriangel who came from off the pace to hit the front in the final 100 yards.

The five-year-old accounted for Rampage by two lengths and provided Siobhan Rutledge, who is sponsored by Leopardstown racecourse, with her first winner at the track. 

Toriangel was bred by trainer Sheila Lavery out of smart racemare Viztoria and is owned by her brother John. 

“She's in foal, to Kodi Bear, so she's relaxing and I think it's made a big difference to her,” said Lavery. 

“I think she's much better than her mark and always has been. As a foal she had a benign tumour so she has no bottom jaw and she's got to relax to breathe properly. 

“She's an amazing, tough, gorgeous filly. She eats everything and it doesn't hold her back eating. 

“They went such a pace and I thought she was on her head. Siobhan said because she's relaxing she'll stay further and it gives us a few more options.

“I think she has two months left and because she's in foal she's not one I'd over-race. I'm delighted for John and delighted for the filly.”

Quotes from Gary Carson