Explorers Way finds right route in Down Royal

Explorers Way (17/2) produced a winning move under James Ryan to take the Weatherbys Digital Solutions Handicap over an extended 10-furlongs.

The five-year-old gelding made headway over a furlong out and hit the front 150 yards out before seeing off Dabana (10/1) by half a length. Epaulawn (6/1) was another length back in third.

Pat Martin said: "The form of his last run (third in Navan) has been franked.

"He's a grand horse and it just took us a while to get to know him. He likes to be fresh and well on the day of the race, but he gets 1m2f well.

"I'm sorry for Jack Kearney that he couldn't do, he has just got a little heavy and the weight was too light for him. James is a very able replacement, he is very good. I've admired James for a long time and that is his first winner for me. I haven't been able to get him some of the times I wanted him.

"Jack was our go to all the time but, unfortunately, Jack is going to be going over jumps. We are going to have to get him a few jumpers!

"I had great faith in James today and he rode a lovely race. He was in the right place the whole way and it was nice to watch.

"The syndicate are mainly from Sligo and they are all here. We bought the horse at the Tattersalls Online Sale back in April. That's his fourth run for us, so he is going the right way and I think he'll give them lots of fun.

"This is our first winner from our new base in Tankardstown, halfway between Navan and Kells, so it is great to get the first winner."