Rattler springs a surprise on his debut The Philip Rothwell trained newcomer Bottle Rattler sprang a 25/1 surprise in the last at Downpatrick, the Supporting Marie Curie Cancer Care Ladies Riders Bumper, under Gillian Ryan. The 4yo son of Gamut was waited with towards the rear by Ryan before making headway to chase the leaders five furlongs out. He was soon close up and stayed on well under pressure in the final furlong to hit the front near the line and score by a short head. The Mark McNiff trained Balboni (9/1) was in front a furlong from home under Helen Mooney but he couldn't hold off the winner and had to settle for second. Waylander stayed on well up the hill to finish a further half a length back in third under Pauline Ryan for her husband Ken Condon at 6/1. The Ted Walsh trained, Dermot Desmond owned newcomer Ride On was sent off the 2/1 favourite under Walsh's daughter-in-law Nina Carberry. The 4yo son of Tobougg never gave his supporters a run for their money and he finished a disappointing ninth. Winning rider Ryan last tasted success almost two years ago to the day when she rode Foildearg to victory in a Lady Riders bumper at Roscommon for her father John. The winner is out of Merluna who was a decent mare for Tommy Carberry, winning a handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse in 2002 as well as finishing second on four other occasions. Winning trainer Philip Rothwell said afterwards: "I bought him with Brian (winning owner Brian Redmond) at the August sales last year and his half-brother (Fill The Glass) has won seven in France. "He didn't get to run at Killarney but Brian supported me to come here for better ground. Gillian is a very good friend of ours so I'm thrilled to bits. "I've had six seconds in the last fortnight and a couple of placed horses tonight so we've been knocking on the door a bit again. You can't beat winners! "I'll put him away and give him a break as he's a weak four-year-old. I think he'll improve a ton and will be a very good horse in time." Bottle Rattler was purchased for just €2,600 at the Tattersalls Ireland August National Hunt Sale last year. (On-course reporting by Gary Carson)
