Nurse Ryan does the job

Two horse trainer Martin Hassett enjoyed success in the Blackberry Handicap Hurdle at Down Royal today with his Nurse Ryan ridden by his nephew Shane Hassett.

The daughter of Distant Music (backed from morning price 12/1 into 8/1) clearly benefited from her eye-catching pipe-opening performance at Kilbeggan previously, when staying on well under pressure from the last to see off the challenge of Rockazar by half a length.

Afterwards trainer Hassett, who is based near Coolmore Stud in Tipperary, said “it took almost four hours getting up here and it's my first time in Down Royal - I didn't realise it was such a big and lovely track!

“That is the first time Nurse Ryan has got her ground in 12 months and she needs good ground. She didn't get 2m3f last time out but I always knew that was in her - I know she is good.

“Shane gave her a peach of a ride - I gave him no instructions but just told him to ride her like a 'good one' and he was very positive on her. I've two horses in training and she's my Quevega!”