Mahler presents Ryan with 17/1 double

John Ryan completed a notable 17/1 double on the final day of the Listowel Festival meeting when Presenting Mahler took the Charlie Chute Memorial Handicap Chase in fine style.

The seven-year-old mare, like Ryan’s earlier winner Icantsay was a popular order and early offers this morning of 9/1 looked generous as she scored here as the 3/1 joint favourite.

Danny Mullins’ mount travelled smoothly to lead two out and, despite getting low at the final fence, had far too much in hand of fellow market leader Tulpar on the run-in to score by two and a quarter lengths.

The pair stretched ten lengths clear of Show And Go in third.

A delighted Ryan said, “Danny gave her a good ride and she’s a mare in great form. She had a lovely light weight and goes on that ground. The others seemingly didn’t, and hopefully the handicapper won’t be too hard on her.

“My daughter Gillian won a bumper on her at Limerick, and she’s a black type mare as she was second in a Listed chase in Wexford. She’s a proper mare, and will be a lovely one to go to stud in a few years.”

The Templemore yard had further cause for cheer as Ryan picked up a further €750 for winning the most best turned out awards during the week thanks to the great efforts of his daughters Gillian and Deirdre.