Declan Bates delivered the perfect waiting ride on the Philip Rothwell trained Saoirse Dun (12/1), winner of the Thoroughbred County Novice Handicap Steeplechase at Naas today.

Saoirse Dun raced in rear for most of the 2m4f trip and was only a moderate eighth rounding the turn for home. Even at the second last fence, the eventual winner needed to pass si horses to win but the son of Flemensfith stayed on stronly to lead early on the run-in, eventually staying on well to defeat Lascalahall

Rothwell wasn't present but Bates later stated “they got very tired in front but he loved the ground and stayed at it well. I was a bit worried about him getting home so I took my time on him and picked up well after the last.”

Further reporting by Gary Carson