Ryan doubles up in chase for apprentice crown

Gavin Ryan made it a brace of winners on Fairyhouse's card when steering home Final Endeavour in the second split of the extended mile and five handicap.

He let his mount stride on into the lead after five furlongs and the pair were pressed by the 11/10 favourite Thefaithfulindian racing into the final half mile.

Thefaithfulindian came under a drive two furlongs out and was burned off by the final furlong. Emerald Green emerged as a threat, however, Final Endeavour stuck to his task well and saw it out by a length and three quarters to land a gamble. He was backed from 10/1 to 11/2 having been available at 25/1 this morning (there were two non runners in Loingseoir and Make Good).

Emerald Green took the runner-up prize at 8/1. Shumaker (9/1) passed a weakening Thefaithfulindian for third.

Trainer Harry Rogers said: “He’s a good little rider and I left it to himself. He got him to settle which is the key.

“I put cheekpieces on the last day and he was just too free. At least he has one up now and it’s great for the owner Susan Bury who has been with me a long time.

“He might run again in Galway on Monday.”

Ryan moved on 42 winners and is now seven ahead in the apprentice table. He was earlier successful on 22/1 shot Clear Quartz

Additional reporting by Alan Magee