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Jaime Sommers wins for the Bowes

Jaime Sommers (left) and Ruth Dudfield win the Sands Hotel Tramore Maiden. Jaime Sommers (left) and Ruth Dudfield win the Sands Hotel Tramore Maiden.
© Photo Healy Racing

Jaime Sommers (25/1) upset the market principals to take the concluding race on day one of the August Festival, the Sands Hotel Tramore Ladies Maiden, for Michael Bowe and Ruth Dudfield.

She got the better of Sole Pretender (4/5 fav) inside the final furlong to score by a length and three quarters.

The favourite had started racing from some way out as he kept tabs on market second choice Listen Dear (faded to finish last) and the Galway Hurdle fifth had little in reserve for the finish.

The winning trainer’s brother and winning owner John Bowe said: "It was a bit of a surprise. She had been disappointing so far this season but she takes a good few runs to get fit. Ruth rode the race to perfection. She kept out of the chopped-up ground as the other two took on each other. Fair play to Ruth, she rode a fantastic race.

"We tried the cheekpieces on her the last time and they seemed to have improved her and this was her second time to wear them. It's great to win with her on the Flat as she ran out of options over hurdles and fences. She was badly handicapped, she was just caught.

"She had her first run on the Flat at the Curragh but she didn't like the stalls, so the flag start here was ideal for her, this race was really ideal for her. She loves Tramore and was placed the other two times she ran here. It wasn't a total surprise as the track suited and the ground dried up a bit.

"We definitely won't go over fences with her again. I wouldn't risk her as she is the only filly I have out of Solerina. She is entered on Saturday in a maiden but is not eligible now. I'd like to see what the handicapper gives her and maybe go for something at the end of the season on the Flat.

"Her mother won three Flat races so it's great that she has now as well. She has now won over fences, hurdles and on the level. Solerina is twenty-two now and is in-foal to Walk In The Park. I think she has nine foals so far and she is great form."

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy

About Mark Nunan
Mark has followed racing since he was a teenager and worked for many years as a broadcaster with the Irish version of Racecall. He joined the Press Association in 2019 and is also a contributor to the Racing Post. A native of Kildare, he now lives in Sligo.