Stone Bear a third winner for returning Rutledge Jockey Siobhan Rutledge rode her third winner since returning from a year in Australia as Stone Bear ran out an easy winner of the New Saddle Bar At Dundalk Handicap. Having provided Rutledge with her first winner back home, when scoring at this venue in January, the Ross O'Sullivan-trained filly doubled up here. Carrying the familiar yellow silks of owner John Bowden, the daughter of Kodi Bear was held up off a fast pace before making headway to lead with over a furlong to race. Quickening clear inside the final furlong, the 13/2 chance scored by one-and-three-quarter lengths from Bullet Bourbon. Ross O'Sullivan said: "She got on great with her and she settled. "The last day she ran over seven (furlongs) which didn't suit her and she had a terrible draw on the outside. She ran just too free and didn't settle whereas today a good draw in six, bit of cover over six furlongs. In fairness to her the last day, with as free as she was, she was still there a furlong down and didn't get home. "Today worked out perfectly, and we were delighted when we saw the draw that she would get a bit of cover. "She's progressive and she is quick and probably could get a little bit quicker. There is a race in a month's time here back to five (furlongs), three-year-old only, so we wouldn't rule that out. "She likes a bit of nice ground (on turf), so we wouldn't be in any panic. We will probably come back here for that race and give five a chance. Those Kodi Bear's are quick - there was three of them in that race today. "She's out of a mare by Exceed And Excel, so that is where the speed is coming from and you'd imagine with the more races she gets, she might even get a bit quicker. "She's a nice little filly and is a sister to Four Blondes with a nice pedigree, so hopefully she keeps going." Additional reporting by Michael Graham.
