Private Ryan (nearst) outjumps De Nordener at the last © Photo Healy Racing
The opening Bishopscourt Cup produced a good finish between the two at the head of the market with Private Ryan (9/4) getting the better of 2/1 favourite De Nordener
The latter was always prominent but was joined two out by the eventual winner and Jamie Scallan's mount got the better jump at the last to forge clear for a two and three quarter length success.
It was a victorious start under Rules for the dual point-to-point winner who is trained in Co Wexford by Sean Doyle for owner Henry Chamney.
“That's brilliant. We had him as a young horse and we sold him,” said Doyle.
“He appeared in Doncaster last year, he had never raced for Nicky Henderson as the syndicate fell out, and Henry (Chamney), a local farmer, was looking for something for this race.
“By luck we stumbled across this lad and he fitted the bill well so it all worked out. It's like a dream come true for this man, he'll absolutely love this.
“You even see it here yesterday, young Barry Walsh rides out for me and he won the La Touche. It's all about about getting a kick and it's absolutely brilliant when it works.
“He won the trial well here but he got a cut the next day he ran. There was a little bit of a rush on and I'd like to thank Michael Murphy, who we call Mouse. He looked after him every day, it's 47 days he was telling me, and we're over the moon to pull it off. It's absolutely magic.
“There is a big hunters chase in Downpatrick in a few weeks, with big prize-money. If he qualifies for that we'll go for that.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
