WHILE fashion plays a big part at major race meetings these days (can’t tell you about rugby or soccer internationals as haven’t been to one in a while), you got extra value at Oldcastle on Sunday as, in winning the side-saddle dash, Susan Oakes wore a very smart habit from her own Cicero range.

The Meath rider rode a borrowed thoroughbred for the five-furlong flat race in which Maria McNamara finished second, with Wendy Cooney in third. The winner was led up by former point-to-point rider Georgie Bough, while Susan’s parents, Claire and Oliver, were also on hand for support.