Neil Ryan booted home his third winner in a driving finish on board Ben Thomson (5/1f) in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Down Royal.

Noel Meade 's five-year-old gelding prevailed by a head and a neck at the end of two miles and a furlong. Magic Sea (14/1) and Autumn Crusade (12/1) were beaten into second and third respectively.

Ryan said: "He responded well thank God! In fairness, he stuck his head out for me and got it at the line.

"I'm only starting to get going - I was apprenticed to Kevin Prendergast for a couple of years and moved up to Noel's last year and went jumping. I rode my first winner at the Curragh a couple of months back and rode a winner at Navan last weekend so that's my third winner now.

"Noel said to ride my race as I know him well. He wasn't travelling early but he finished it out well."

The Stewards interviewed T. Ryan, rider of runner-up Magic Sea, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted he was in breach of the Regulation. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were satisfied that T. Ryan was in breach of R10.3(f)(force) and R10.3(g)(frequency). Having considered his record they suspended him for three racedays.

The Stewards interviewed B.P. Kennedy, rider of fourth-placed Beat Of The Sea concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted he had breached the Regulation. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were satisfied that B.P. Kennedy was in breach of both R10.3(f)(force) and R10.3(g)(frequency) and considering his record, they suspended him for four racedays.