Last-to-first as rider Rutledge lands the last

Slowly away Majestic Jewel (20/1) came from an unpromising position to win Tramore's concluding Morris Builders DIY Handicap today, for trainer Andy McNamara and jockey Siobhan Rutledge.

Claimed for €9,000 at Dundalk in January, the daughter of Kingman was slowly away and trailing 11 rivals in the early stages. However rider Rutledge made gradual progress through the race, leading over a furlong out before staying well to beat Mastermind

Afterwards McNamara stated “Siobhan kept her good and wide and she got as fresh a ground as there is out there and is seemed to pay off. I think she just jammed on the brakes at the start - she is not ungenuine but might be a touch claustrophobic.

“We bought her thinking she'd be dual-purpose but the hurdling hasn't quite worked out. I'm not saying we will never go back to it but she just backs off her hurdles a little bit.

“She got a cut the last day she ran over hurdles so I wasn't sure if she was fit enough or not, but the way she went on up the hill she definitely was. It was a lovely performance.

"There are a couple of two-mile races towards the end of the month and into early September. She'll probably go up a few pounds for today and it'll make her easier to place."

Quotes from Donal Murphy