Ryan stars at Dundalk with 197/1 treble

James Ryan was certainly the rider to follow at Dundalk this evening and completed a 197/1 treble when making all aboard Fairytale Princess in the Bar One Racing ‘Always Gamble Responsibly’ Handicap.

Ryan got the Ger Lyons-trained filly away smartly from a wide draw and judged the fractions well in front to make it three wins from her last four starts here for the daughter of Camelot.

The 9/2 chance came under pressure over a furlong out and, despite wandering slightly, kept on gamely to beat Benavente by half-a-length with Longbourn the same distance further back in third. The places were confirmed following a stewards enquiry.

Ryan was on the mark earlier aboard Bergamasco (7/1) and Sioux Princess (7/2).

Lyons' brother and assistant Shane said, "She has just transformed. She is a big filly, so it has obviously taken her that time to grow into herself. She is going through the grades and we won't stop until she tells us she wants to stop.

"She'll go through the programme on the all-weather and we will give her a break then for nice ground. It is great for Kevin and Ruth (Blessing, Woodridge Stables Limited)."

Lyons also paid tribute to the winning rider adding, "He is a lovely, lovely fella and we saw talent in him early doors. He is a very tall fella, but you wouldn't know it. To do that weight (8st6lb) for the size of him, is a credit to him.

"He's very intelligent off a horse and he tells us an awful lot, he thinks about what he says. He is a great asset.

"We have two good apprentices in himself and Jack Kearney and they are working with Colin (Keane) and Gary (Carroll), and it stands to them."

Quotes by Michael Graham