Rutledge excels from the front on Dancer to give McConnell double

Siobhan Rutledge was seen at her very best aboard Scarlet Dancer when overcoming a wide draw to make most of the running to land the Unio Financial Services Handicap at Leopardstown.

Smartly into stride from stall 16, Rutledge got the John McConnell trained five-year-old across to lead early, as she was tracked by both Shamrock Sprig and Eastern Wind

Upping the tempo over three furlongs out, Rutledge had her closest pursuers in trouble entering the straight as she kicked from the front.

Shamrock Sprig tried hard to bridge the gap from over a furlong out but could never get to the 12/1 chance who ran out a two-and-a-quarter-length winner.

John McConnell: “Mr Handicapper might have a say again now. He’s actually in a claimer next week and we might go there. He doesn’t owe me anything.

“He came with a bit of a health warning but in fairness Dylan Kidd has done a great job with him at home and he’s manageable now.

“I wish I had 25 more of him, he’s tough and genuine.

“Siobhan did a good job as she had to rev him to get across but she did slow it down mid-race and that helped him to last out. He’s as tough as nails and is in a happy place at the moment.”

McConnell was completing an across the card double having also been amongst the winners at Sligo with Cloonainra

Additional reporting by Alan Magee.