Bonus for Ahern
Eddie Ahern collected a winning spare ride in the opening event at Leicester as Congressional broke her duck with a battling performance in the EBF Filbert Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.
The subject of strong support in the betting ring before the race, the Michael Jarvis-trained filly was sent off a 9-2 chance despite the absence of jockey Philip Robinson, who remains on the sidelines with ’flu.
And the money was not misplaced as the winner made every yard under Ahern, sticking her head out gutsily when challenged inside the final furlong by Riyalma and scoring by a neck.
Jarvis was represented by his travelling head lad, Paul Rutter, who said: “She is a nice, staying type of filly in the making.
“Obviously she is going the right way and I think the trip (an extended mile) was a big help too.”
