Rippon Lodge gained a third career win at Sligo today, as jockey Philip Donovan steered the 8yo gelding to an opening races double for trainer John Ryan in the Leo McMorrow Memorial Novice Handicap Chase.

The son of Scorpion, previously successful at Tramore last month, today beat Bentham by five and a half lengths to provide Donovan with a 25th career win, thereby reducing his riding allowance to 5lbs.

Ryan, successful in the opening race with the Sean O'Keeffe partnered Kitty Galore later stated “that’s a good start to the day. He’s a big strong horse who's eight now and has needed every day of it. He’s matured this year and is a fine leaper of a fence.

“He’s an imposing horse, he’s 17.1hh and I thought he made the others look very ordinary in the parade ring.

“I’ll find something for him in Listowel.”

Quotes from Mark Nunan