Next In Line and Gavin Ryan © Photo Healy Racing
James Barrett enjoyed his second big-priced winner of the week when Next In Line (16/1) took the Golf Open Week At Gowran Apprentice Handicap.
Blinkered for the first time on her handicap debut, the Excelebration filly was ridden by Gavin Ryan and he allowed his mount stride on in front before the turn out of the back straight.
After the field turned for home, Ryan’s mount found plenty to see off Slieve Bernagh by a length and a quarter, with Pineapple Express a neck further back in third. The 7/4 favourite Divine Celt faded in the closing stages to finish eighth.
Based in nearby Goresbridge, the trainer had been on the mark with another handicap first-timer Red Pantz (18/1) at Naas on Wednesday.
Winning trainer James Barrett said “ "We fancied her in Sligo the last day but for some reason she didn't run her race. She didn't jump or travel and maybe she didn't like the track.
“We put on blinkers to see if it would buck up her ideas. On her homework it didn't improve her a lot but we said we'd try them.
“She always worked like she'd win a maiden so I knew she was well handicapped if she put her best foot forward. She's done it today thank God.
“She can step up in trip. There is a nice race in Galway next Saturday so we'll probably stick her in that and see. With the help of God she might do something similar.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
