Rutledge bags second winner in two days

Siobhan Rutledge registered a second winner in two days as the 7lbs claimer steered wayward Max's Dandy to a last-gasp win in the Adare Apprentice Handicap at Limerick for her employer trainer John McConnell.

Max's Dandy (16/1 to 12s) was held up in rear of mid-division on the outside and was produced with her challenge in the home straight.

However the daughter of Dandy Man was just fifth with a furlong to race and while she finished strongly, also briefly ducked left close home before catching leader Gregory's Gift at the line for a nose win.

McConnell later commented “she is a tricky filly, can be keen but we have worked her out and she trots down to the start early now.

“She ran a very respectable race here the last day on her first handicap run and while I'm a bit shocked, I thought she'd run a big race.

“She is tough, genuine and is still green so there might be another day in her. She likes slow ground, will go a mile and I don't think she'll go to Dundalk.”

Regarding Rutledge, who won on McConnell's Dame Rapide at Dundalk yesterday, he added “Siobhan is with me, that's her seventh winner and she is riding with confidence and intelligence.

“Hopefully outside rides will start to come but there is still a stigma in this country, even with what Rachael (Blackmore) is doing, to use female jockeys. There should be no excuse on the flat as it is not about strength, I think, so hopefully people will start taking notice.”