Santorini Sun and Siobhan Rutledge return to winning handler Finbarr Hand© Photo Healy Racing
Siobhan Rutledge and Sorcha Woods didn’t come back to their male pursuers as the mounts of the only female riders in the penultimate event at Navan, Santorini Sun (50/1) and Carried (40/1) dominated.
The outsiders were soon clear of the rest, and kept to the favoured outside strip in the straight the Finbarr Hand owned and trained Santorini Sun eventually beat Carried by four and a half lengths in this split two of the Troytown Bar Handicap.
Like the winner, third home and favourite, Swelltime is by Born To Sea, and he was soon racing in a moderate third and could never bridge the gap.
Now competing for local connections, Santorini Sun was without success since winning on debut over five furlongs in August 2017 in a Sandown sprint. She was racing then for the Mick Channon yard.
Meanwhile it was a significant win for Siobhan Rutledge as her claim is now down to five pounds.
“It wasn't really a surprise because she works brilliantly all the time. She's been so disappointing that we were actually going to give up on her,” said Finbarr Hand.
“A young girl started riding her out about two months ago, Ava. We decided to take everything off today and put Siobhan up, she's really good value for her 7lb.
“It's not a surprise on her work but it is a surprise on the way she's been running. She can work with any horse.
“It was a change of tactics as well, out in front, but probably taking the tongue-strap and everything off made the difference.
“She had a palate operation a long time ago but we just decided to take everything off and leave it natural.
“It was badly needed and hopefully she can win again.”
A.J. Farragher, rider of Mountain Fox trained by F.Oakes, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled but stayed on.
G.M. Ryan, rider of Bolero trained by H.Rogers, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung left late on.
(GC & EM)
