Rutledge rides out 3lb claim at Fairyhouse

Siobhan Rutldge rode out her 3lb claim as the progressive Stone Bear landed the Fiver Fridays At Fairyhouse Handicap over six furlongs.

Backed from 6/1 into 9/2 before the off, the winner was settled in mid-division and made good headway when brought to the outer in the straight.

After heading Absolute Assignment 150 yards out, she went away to beat that rival by a length and a-quarter.

"We’re delighted, she’s a right little filly and is after winning three now,” said winning trainer Ross O’Sullivan.

“She has just improved because last year you wouldn’t have thought she was any superstar.

“She obviously handled Dundalk well, and won two up there, and has got better into the spring.

“She has a lovely pedigree, her dam won six, and she’s a half-sister to Four Blondes, who won a maiden. We probably bought her on the back of Four Blondes and, ironically, she’s now won more than her.

“She’s been ultra consistent and Siobhan gets a great tune out of her. She hit the line well in Naas the last day, over five, and we thought stepping up to six, and keeping her in her own age group, would suit.

“She’s going to be a good fun filly. I’m delighted for John Bowden. We’ll try and keep her in her own age bracket as long as we can, because it gets a bit harder with the older horses.

“I’m delighted for Siobhan to ride out her claim. Obviously she’s going out with my assistant Tom Harney.

“She’s an absolute smasher, she works really hard. She learned a lot in Australia, she was there for a year.

“The one thing she always said she wanted to do was to come back and ride out her claim and she did. They are back since January.

“She is freelancing and is a natural lightweight. She seems to get on great with this filly and rides a few for us.

“She’s basing herself on the Curragh and trying to get around a bit. It’s very hard in Ireland when you are freelancing, but she’s so light that it’s a big help.

“I’m delighted for her because you couldn’t meet a harder worker and a nicer girl.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson