Shining Aitch and James Ryan left grey win for trainer Tom McCourt.© Photo Healy Racing
Jockey James Ryan, who has been one of the rising stars over the last couple of seasons, was seen at his best once again when delivering Shining Aitch from off the pace to win Division ll of the Gateway Hotel Dundalk Race & Stay Apprentice Handicap.
A winner at this track in November, the grey was dropping back in trip this evening but with his jockey content to sit in rear and watch the race develop up front, the seven-year-old was produced at just the right home to lead inside the final furlong.
From a wide draw, Akmaam raced prominently before leading briefly entering the straight. Wonder Spirit came through in the centre to head the latter over a furlong out but all the while, Ryan was edging closer on the eventual winner.
Heading Wonder Spirit over 150 yards out, Shining Aitch kept on well to win by three-quarters-of-a-length at the line.
Trainer Tom McCourt said: "He has loads of ability, but he has just been frustrating.
"We put the visor on him at home the other day and James was mad about him, he was very confident. He worked with Arbaawi and went seriously well.
"Dropping back to a mile - a mile or a mile and a-quarter, horses seem to do either here. A mile, you are going to have a strong pace and he needs to be coming off a strong pace really.
"It worked out well, there was plenty of pace on."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham.
