The steady improvement shown by rider Siobhan Rutledge has been one of the features of the winter season and she executed another well-judged ride to win the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dundalk Apprentice Handicap on 9/2 chance Wild Shot

In a race run in a downpour, there was plenty of pace on as the gallant veteran Sharjah cut out the running and stretched the field. Rutledge was in no rush as she held up her mount towards the rear before starting to improve on the approach to the straight.

Wild Shot then came with a steady run from two furlongs out to hit the front well inside the final furlong and he cleared away to score by three and a half lengths from Sharjah (17/2).

In denying Sharjah a tenth course win, the So You Think gelding was himself winning for the sixth time at Dundalk after one victory for Damian English and four for Noel Kelly.

This was just his second start for winning trainer John McConnell who remarked: “It was nice because we've had a tough run of things with a lot of seconds and maybe the horses weren't firing. It's nice to get one on the board anyway.

“It was a very good ride by Siobhan, she took her time and produced him nicely.

“He's been very straight-forward since I got him. The change of scenery always seems to make a difference.

“We thought he'd run very well today, we fancied him, and I'm delighted to get his head in front. The owner (Cathal McGuckin) is a very nice man and I'm delighted for him.”

Quotes from Gary Carson