Ryan completes 1-2 in Killarney's feature

Jockey Danny Mullins dipped to his lowest riding weight when bagging the featured €45,000 BoyleSports Handicap Chase at Killarney today, steering The Dara Man to a 1-2 for trainer John Ryan.

Both Ryan's horses, winner The Dara Man (7/2) and runner-up Ferdia (5/2f), were bottom weights at 10st2lbs and while jockey Philip Donovan claimed 5lb from Ferdia, failed by nine lengths to beat his similarly 118-rated stablemate.

Templemore based Ryan said “I thought Ferdia would beat him but Danny gave the winner a super ride. So too did Philip (Donovan, on runner-up Ferdia) and both horses ran blinders. Ferdia is only a six year old and won his maiden hurdle this time last year so is a year behind The Dara Man.

“The Dara Man had lots of little issues which we appear to have got on top of, and looks a fair horse going forward. He'll run in those novice chases for the summer and will go to Galway. Ferdia is declared for Tipperary on Sunday and could well appear.”