Rutledge gets winning tune out of Stanhope

Siobhan Rutledge enjoyed a welcome winner aboard John McConnell's Stanhope in the second division of the apprentice handicap at Navan.

The pair began their move after halfway in this extended five furlong sprint and improved to third approaching the final furlong.

The 12/1 shot was ridden into the lead in the final 100 yards and kept on nicely to score by a length from Carla's Kodi Bear (10/1). Cuala Bula (22/1) was nearest at the finish, a neck further back in third.

Rutledge said: "I did (enjoy that), it was a special win. Stanhope is a very special horse for the Galaxy Horse Racing Syndicate. They are big supporters of John (McConnell) and they are big supporters of myself.

"We have both been going through a bit of a quiet spell - the Galaxy Horse Racing Syndicate and myself personally in my career. It is a big relief.

"He is the kind of horse who has to kind of want to do it himself, he is one of those horses that has to be in the form for it. He enjoyed himself today, so did I!"