Yank opens chase account

The Little Yank was delivered with a well-timed run by Kevin Brouder to claim the Templehouse Lake Chase at Sligo for John Ryan.

Having been held up in the two-mile-five contest the 7/4 favourite was delivered with his challenge at the final fence.

He soon hit the front in the conditions event and stayed on strongly to record a four-length win over long-time leader Grand Bornand

The consistent Westerner gelding was recording his sixth career victory and his first over fences.

Ryan said: "I fancied Ferdia a bit more but this is a smashing horse. I'd say he struggled throughout the race because his main aim is Listowel and this race should put him right. I'm not sure yet what race he'll go for next week.

"He'll definitely have taken a blow there. I worked him with The Dara Man (pulled up earlier on the card) and The Dara Man worked a lot better than him but he obviously improved from the work.

"A horse like him that won two bumpers, when he jumped the last upsides he was always going to quicken past those. He has a bit of class.

"Kevin gave him a peach of a ride and that's three rides, three winners he's had for me now in the last week."

(Quotes by Mark Nunan)