En Or and James Ryan© Photo Healy Racing
Champion apprentice James Ryan completed a 30/1 double when En Or defied topweight with some style in the Dundalk Stadium Gift Vouchers Available Online Handicap.
The Tony Martin-trained gelding had gained both previous victories over longer trips but appeared to relish this drop back in distance to an extended ten furlongs.
The 6/1 chance headed the front-running Lady Arwen over a furlong out and stretched clear to beat Come On The Lads by three and a half lengths with The World’s Astage the same distance further back in third.
Winning owner John Hartnett made the trip over from America to enjoy the victory as Martin explained: “John told me he was coming over so we tried to plot where we could run.
"He worked last week and I was very happy with him and I said to John I would be hoping for a real good run. Fortunately, it all worked out.
"The young fella that rode him is the up-and-coming Colin Keane. I don't tie them down to instructions, lads like that.
"His plan was to ride him two or three but they were going so fast he was last. That's what those good jockeys are for, so it worked out great.
"The whole thing is mapped around when John and his wife are home."
Ryan was also on the mark earlier aboard the Ger Lyons-trained Donna Nook (7/2) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Race.
Quotes by Michael Graham
