SIOBHAN Rutledge made her first ride for Jessica Harrington a winning one aboard 18/1 outsider Starry Heavens in the featured Irish Stallion Farms EBF Connacht Oaks at Sligo on Wednesday evening.

The Mastercraftsman filly, owned by Healthy Wood Co Limited, raced in rear on her handicap debut in this extended 10-furlong assignment.

Rutledge brought her widest of all into the straight and the duo surged home down the outer to score by a length and a quarter from No Niki No.

“I missed the break a little bit and thankfully there was plenty of pace on,” Rutledge said. “I just had to bide my time and follow them around. She picked up really well in the closing stages and won with a bit in hand in the end.

“I spoke to Shane Foley beforehand and he was confident that she’d relish the trip. I’m in John McConnell’s six days a week and go to Mrs Harrington one day a week. That’s my first ride for her and I’m very grateful for the opportunity.”

Cavan trainer Patrick Magee sent out his second winner of the flat season, from just five individual runners, when Si Senior (16/1) and Rory Cleary took the Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden.

In front from early in the straight, the Roisin McIntyre-owned winner was pursued by market leader Cardinal Zin in the final furlong but held on to beat that rival by half a length.

Magee said: “Seamie Heffernan got off her at the Curragh and said she was a winner waiting to happen. We were a little disappointed at Navan but she still ran a good race there.

“I would have been happy with a place, but she’s a smart filly and her work has been super. We got her cheap and I don’t think you’ll get a Bungle Inthejungle as cheap this year with the results he’s after having with his two-year-olds.

“She’s still quite weak and we won’t be in any rush with her. She’ll be a better filly next year.”

GARY Carroll has an excellent strike-rate at Sligo which he enhanced with a double initiated by Texas Sun (14/1) in the opening Rockshore Lager Claiming Race which was put back by 25 minutes due to an electrical fault at the track.

Having tracked the leaders, the Dark Angel gelding wore down Jomont in the final furlong to beat that rival by a head.

Texas Sun, the subject of a successful friendly claim, was one of four representatives for owner/trainer James McAuley who said: “I was delighted with his run in Ballinrobe and he was unexposed compared to a lot of these. We thought he’d get the trip and Gary said he wants that (10 furlongs) trip and probably more.

Carroll added: “As my valet said inside, riding for James McAuley in a claimer is like riding for Aidan O’Brien in the Guineas and the second or third strings can be good enough as well!”

The going description, of ground that had been watered, was changed from good to yielding to soft after that opener.

Carroll’s second winner came aboard Lia Fail who justified even-money favouritism in the Guinness Nursery.

Third at Galway just four days previously, the top weight was soon in front and went clear early in the straight. Uncle Albert gave chase in the final furlong but was held by three quarters of a length with the first two well clear of the remainder.

“A lot of fellas won’t hit those nurseries, but I can see nothing wrong with them, they’re there for horses who can’t win a maiden or for those that win an ordinary maiden,” said trainer Michael Mulvany who owns the winner himself.

“I think she wants a bit better ground. She’s been busy so she’s going to get a little break now.”

GAVIN Ryan was another rider to enjoy a double and received plenty of praise from trainer Mark Fahey after Chica Linda (9/1) landed the Hop House 13 Handicap.

The daughter of Highland Reel was quickly into stride and made virtually all to beat Spinning Web by a length in the colours of the Trouble & Strife Syndicate.

“Gavin got off this filly at Naas and said she’s definitely one for cheekpieces and he was right,” said Fahey.

“She was drawn wide today and he gave her a super ride to get her out, get her across, steady it up when he had to and kick when he had to.

“Tramore might be next for her. The lads are from that area and Tramore is their Cheltenham, that’s where they’d like to go.”

Ryan completed his brace aboard 11/1 reserve Kami who came from last to first to win the Carlsberg Handicap.

Trained locally by Mark McNiff for Mrs Janice Doyle, the grey daughter of Markaz finished off well down the stands’ side to beat Redshore City by half a length.

Ryan said: “She’d been a little bit frustrating but Mark always thought there was one in her. She probably likes a bit of light and was often drawn well which actually didn’t suit her because when she’s in amongst horses she just panics a little bit, she’s only a small handy filly.

“She missed the break today and I’ve just taken her wide the whole way and it’s worked out perfectly.”

Glyde Ranger was a decisive winner of the concluding Rockshore Cider Handicap in the hands of James Ryan.

The 16/1 chance made rapid progress from the rear to lead entering the straight and kept on strongly to beat Contrapposto by four and a quarter lengths. Tom McCourt, who trains the three-year-old for his daughter Denise McCourt along with David Daly and Gerard Shevlin, said: “I think the step up in trip on the soft ground was a big plus. He’s from an Aga Khan family and it’s all stamina all the way back.

“James said he really picked up when he hit the rising ground and ended up getting there too soon.

“He’s done plenty of schooling and jumps quick. He’ll probably go for another flat race but I’d like to get him going over hurdles before the good ones come out.”