Ryan bags first Group 3 on Shale Gavin Ryan's rapid rise through the ranks continued in the Frank Conroy Silver Flash Stakes, as registered his first Group 3 success on Shale. The five pound claimer (last day claiming five), who hails from Killenaule in Co. Tipperary, is stable jockey to Shale's trainer Donnacha O'Brien and he is likely to be aboard some very smart sorts going forward. Shale, who finished sixth on debut over the course and distance in June, since won her maiden in convincing style on soft to heavy at Gowran. Sent off a 14/1 chance today, the daughter of Galileo broke well to lead early, before she was soon settled in second. She improved to pick off the front-running Finest from over a furlong out and while soon pressed by Pretty Gorgeous, she found plenty for pressure in the closing stages, going on to prevail by a length and a half. Pretty Gorgeous, who was returned the 2/1 favourite, tried hard but couldn't reel-in the winner and had to settle for second under Shane Crosse for Joseph O'Brien. A Ma Chere (10/1) was another three and a half lengths back in third, while Oodnadatta, who beat Shale here in June, finished a disappointing fifth. Donnacha O’Brien said afterwards: "She did it well. Obviously she improved from her maiden and her work was good. The race worked out nicely as they went a good gallop and she got a nice tow into it. "To look at her you would say she wants quick ground so I was a bit surprised how well she handled it the last day. "We'll look at the Debutante and the Moyglare. It would be the obvious path with those two-year-old fillies." Earlier today Gavin Ryan appealed against two careless riding bans he picked up at Leopardstown on 23rd July. He won his appeal against a three day ban and a further five day ban was reduced to four days. STEWARDS REPORT * S. Foley, rider of Oodnadatta trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount got upset in the starting stalls. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
