Champion Apprentice hits 51 winners with treble

Gavin Ryan will officially be crowned Champion Apprentice at Naas' season finale tomorrow and he completed a treble at Dundalk today with Pachmena in the concluding Crowne Plaza Hotel Dundalk Handicap, as he moved to 51 winners for the season.

The Johnny Feane trained Pachmena, a daughter of Sir Percy, caused a 40/1 upset to win on her second handicap start and following the race Ryan reported “I'm delighted with her - things haven't been falling right for her of late, with ground and positions.

“Being drawn wide here today wasn't ideal, we jumped out and sat a bit wide early on but ended up getting a lovely position the whole way around.

“John (Feane) was keen on her, he likes her, she's a nice moving filly and it's for good owners as well. She stayed at it well, stuck her nose out, and will be a nice filly going forward.”

He added “it's been a great night to ride a treble for three great supporters in John, Ado (McGuinness) and obviously my boss Donnacha (O'Brien) - I'm absolutely over the moon.

“The season has been going great and I've had great support. To reach 50 winners is a great milestone and that was the plan coming into the week. I'm absolutely delighted.”

Quotes from Gary Carson