Benson strikes again in Ladies Trophy

Georgie Benson struck for the second year running in the Newbridge Silverware Ladies Trophy at the Curragh when giving Polemon a well judged ride in the mile-and-a-half contest.

The Denis Hogan-trained gelding, a winner twice during the summer, went to post a 5/1 shot.

He made ground up turning for home and grabbed front-runner Burren Song inside the final furlong to post a length-and-three-quarter success.

The winning rider said afterwards:- “Denis said to keep a hold of him and keep filling him up so I did that.

“To be honest I thought I nearly got there too soon but he just took me everywhere. He's in brilliant form and I'd say he'd go round again.

“He was revved, even in the stalls, and I knew once I was travelling everywhere it would take a lot to stop him.

“I seen Aine (O'Connor on Whimsy on my right and I knew I had her covered. He did it well.

“I got a good gap just before we turned the bend for home and I just went a bit wide then because there were a lot of girls on the inside.

“Once he got the light he just took off again on me.

“He's a big horse so I didn't want to block him and then have to stop and get going again. I didn't want to disappoint him so let him go a little bit wider.

“He won well a month ago in Tipperary and has probably been a little bit unlucky on his last two runs, but still put in a good effort. I thought he was bouncing going down to the start today.

“I don't mind it around here. I had a close second in the Ladies Derby this year so it was nice to get my head back in front.

“It's the home of racing really and it's a good track when you know how to ride it. I feel like it's riding like a bit of work around here now.”

Benson had partnered Pachmena to win the race last year for Gavin Cromwell.