Bye Bye Now says toodle-oo on handicap debut Expensive breeze-up purchase Bye Bye Now (22/1) made light of today's initial 52-rating when winning Dundalk’s opening Winter Series Awards Day Handicap, for jockey Siobhan Rutledge, owner Caroline Ahearn and trainer John McConnell. Purchased by McConnell for €82,000 at Tattersalls last May, the daughter of Bungle Inthejungle had shown mild promise in three previous runs and today, in 0-70 company, made all from a light weight of just 8st 7lb, when readily beating Arctic Steps by 1.5 lengths. McConnell mentioned "she was a very fast breezer in Fairyhouse and cost a good bit of money but just came into problems then. They were various different things and she probably didn't grow much either, so we were behind where we wanted to be. “We thought from 11 (today’s stall number) it might be very hard to win, even though she is very quick away. She's getting the hang of it now and she is obviously fast. Hopefully, she can keep improving. "In fairness, Dylan Kidd rides her every day and does a good job keeping the lid on her as she could easily go the other way. We hardly ever work her, she has worked probably twice in six months. "Physically she could improve as I feel she is still light. I think there is more physical development and, with these sprinters, they get better so hopefully if her mind stays right, she could improve." Quotes from Michael Graham
