After his big win with De Benno at the Limerick Christmas festival, County Tipperary handler James Grace struck again at Naas today as his Mick The Boyo credited jockey Trevor Ryan with his first victory in Ireland. Brosna George Azua Emery and Urbanist were the ones to generate most of the pre-race chat here, but hooded first-time Mick The Boyo attracted his fair share of market support too. Dundeedy Lad was there with his chance when departing at the penultimate flight, and up the run-in Ryan got a good tune out of Mick The Boyo to 'nail' Urbanist by a neck.

Ryan rode six winners in three seasons cross-channel when working with Sue Smith and Steve Gollings.

"He gave him a super ride. That's his first winner here in Ireland," said Grace.

"He rode five or six winners in England but that's his first here. His father and grand-father would have been great friends of mine. He's from Toomevara.

"It's always nice to win but with Trevor getting his first winner it's great for him. He rides out for me and for Willie Austin.

"I gave the horse a right good chance as he ran well in Fairyhouse last time out. He runs free early on so we put the hood on him. He seemed to settle well in behind and did everything right.

"We have him in Clonmel on Thursday but whether he runs or not I don't know. It depends on how he comes out of this.

"The hood has helped him and made him more relaxed and he had him covered up."

The Stewards interviewed T. Ryan, rider of Mick The Boyo, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race.

Evidence was heard from the rider concerned.

Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found the rider in breach of Reg. 10. 4. (time to respond) and having taken his clean record into account suspended him for one race day.

(GC & EM)