Private Ryan continues to climb hunter chase ranks

Winner of the Bishopscourt Cup at the Punchestown festival, Private Ryan (7/1) was tackling much stiffer opposition in the Dennison Commercials Hunters Chase but coped well with the step up in trip and grade.

Trained by Sean Doyle for Henry Chamney, the son of Presenting was patiently handled by Jamie Scallan and came through to lead on the run-in before staying on well to defeat Gorthill by half a length.

There was no fairytale ending in his final race for last year's winner Billaway who faded out of contention and was pulled up after the last by Patrick Mullins.

Scallan said: "He stepped up a mile in trip today and we kind of dropped him in a little bit to see if he would get home. In fairness to him, all he actually did was stay in the end.

"The race kind of fell apart in front of me a bit going to the third last and I was fairly confident I would pick up from there.

"I'm based with Sean full-time and more based point-to-pointing, but it is great to have a horse like this lad to come and ride on the track.

"I've had a great season point-to-pointing, I rode 21 winners. It was my best season to date."

Quotes from Michael Graham