Gowran A Piece Of Heaven for Ryan as he doubles up

A Piece Of Heaven showed good fortitude to win on his fourth start in the concluding staying maiden at Gowran Park.

He had finished fourth in his previous three outings including in a Grade 1 bumper at Punchestown in April.

This was his second race on the Flat and he was off the bridle swinging in in the lead two and a-half furlongs from home.

He edged across to the stands' side when he came under the whip a furlong and a-half out, but boxed on well to see it out by two and three-quarter lengths from Uxmal (3/1). The Mediator (11/1) was five lengths further adrift in third.

This brought up a double for jockey Gavin Ryan who also scored on Hello Power for Darren Bunyan.

Trainer Barry Fitzgerald said: “He’s a good horse, but ground is the biggest thing to make sure it is right for him.

“I’m happy that he’s done the job and he’ll step forward from this. We might look at Listowel even though it will be a quick turnaround.

“He’ll stay on the Flat for the moment and hopefully will get a mark after this and can mix it with jumping next year. He’s a classy horse and by a good sire as well.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee