What a gal round Leopardstown – tis Strandfield Lady

Nine non-runners saw the field for the Bibby Financial Services Handicap at Leopardstown reduced to eleven and with Harry Rogers' string in such sparkling form (fourth winner in six days) it shouldn't have been any great surprise to anyone to see Strandfield Lady gain course and distance victory number six.

Sam James was aboard the daughter of Pairumani Star, twice a winner on the all-weather at Dundalk as well, and she came home a convincing two and a half length winner over top-weight Barack at the rewarding odds of 10/1.

Harry Rogers was a bit surprised in the aftermath as he explained: "I didn't think she'd act on the ground.

"They went so quick it played into her hands. She didn't seem to be travelling and then all of a sudden she was there.

"We took her out last week because of the heavy ground and all her best form is on better."

The gamble of this event was Back Burner (4s into 2s) but he faded from under two furlongs out and ended up finishing seventh. (GC & EM)