Icantsay lands gamble in style

Icantsay landed a gamble, as he ran out an easy winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Chase, on just his second start for John Ryan.

Previously trained by Marie Harding, the seven-year-old son of Spadoun pulled up on his debut for Ryan at Cork last month after his lost considerable ground at the start.

Making his handicap debut today he opened on-course at 25/1, before being backed in to 12/1 at the off.

Settled behind the leaders by Danny Mullins, he took closer order from before three out, and was ridden to challenge on the outer from the next.

He got to the front before the last, and kept on strongly on the run-in, going on to score by eight and a half lengths. Courtncatcher (14/1), who was hampered by a loose horse on the approach to the last, finished second under Conor Brassil for Patrick Duffy. Mtada Supreme (7/1) was another length and a half back in third for Donagh Meyler and Peter Maher, while Tiger Sam (14/1) completed the placings a head away in fourth with Barry Reynolds in the saddle for Noel Meade. Stonehall Jack was sent off the easy to back 5/1 favourite (from 10/3), and he finished a disappointing tenth. Mr Boss Man was still in with every chance when falling two out, while 10/1 chance Teds Island who was backed from 50's this morning, was sixth.

John Ryan said afterwards: "Danny said when he jumped the last he didn't look around as we needed a winner to get us off the board!

"He'll run in three-mile novice chases during the summer. He stays three miles well. He won his point-to-point and maiden hurdle over three miles but he's way better over fences. He's a great leaper.

"He can be a bit funny at the start but was great today. You couldn't but like him and hopefully, pleased God, he'll get a few more during the summer."

STEWARDS REPORTS

R.C. Colgan, rider of Some Drama trained by Dermot Anthony McLoughlin, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was pulled up having lost its action behind.

C.D. Maxwell, rider of Suas Sios trained by Patrick Rooney, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount did not handle the ground.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson