Flynn rides back into the number one

Paul Flynn returned to the number one spot as a jockey in style when The Ring Is King (very popular in the betting shops this morning) landed the punt in the Eamon Sheridan Plant Hire Handicap at Ballinrobe.

A son of Our Conor's sire, the now Garryrichard Stud-based stallion, Jeremy, The Ring Is King (also trained by Flynn and owned by his wife Claire Howes) was having his first start since November but he was well-primed for the task at hand.

A stable companion of General Barton (3rd in the first at Newton Abbot tonight) and Boxer Beat (runner-in to Air Chief in the second at Ballinrobe) The Ring Is King travelled well behind the leaders before eventually taking over under a furlong out. The 6/1 chance went on to defeat Daigreen by two lengths.

Paul Flynn (having his first winner as a jockey on the racecourse proper for the best part of seven years) of course won a Hennessy Gold Cup on What's Up Boys in 2001 as well as the Coral Cup the year before on the same horse. Flynn won many big races on Supreme Prince too. His training career thus far has been headlined by Moon Dice's Galway Hurdle success in 2011.

The Longford operator reported: "We fancied him. He improved from three to four. If he doesn't go up too much he'll go for a 0 to 70 in Galway.

"It's easy when you're riding those sort of horses." (TW & EM)