There was a double in the first three races for John Ryan at Ballinrobe last week but he was even quicker off the mark at Clonmel today, taking the first two races. The brace was brought up by Fort William as Shane Fitzgerald got off to a dream start as a conditional jockey.

Fitzgerald, top of the tree in the novice riding ranks in 2017 and 2018 in point-to-points, titles he shared with Liam Quinlan and Sean O’Keeffe respectively, here got Fort William (25/1) home two and a quarter lengths to the good in the Clonmel Supporters Club Rated Novice Hurdle. Coulonces chased Fort William home, but it could have been different had Don Diablo not fallen soon after landing, when leading, after the last.

"That is Shane's first ride as a professional jockey, he comes into me a few mornings a week and is also with Joseph O'Brien and Eugene O'Sullivan; he is going to be top class and there's a big career ahead of him,” said Ryan.

"That is a brilliant horse, his homework is absolutely brilliant and he brought it to the races today thank god. He threw away a race here a few months ago when he was full of horse but cocked his jaw and went to run out.

"It was no shock to us and the ground helped and he won easy."

Ryan had been on the mark half-an-hour earlier with Bonarc (Danny Mullins).

Michael Daly owns and bred Fort William.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined The Cathal Don trained by Henry de Bromhead, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

Rachael Blackmore, rider of The Cathal Don trained by Henry de Bromhead, reported to the Clerk of Scales that her mount made a bad mistake at the second last.

The Stewards requested a report from John Patrick Ryan, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Fort William, placed first, as compared with its most recent run. John Patrick Ryan stated that his charge did not face a different type of bit that was worn last time out and the reapplication of a standard snaffle had helped to bring about the apparent improvement in form. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation given.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Don Diablo trained by Mrs Denise Foster was lame on its right fore post race.

(TW & EM)