Tuam brothers David and Tom Ryan completed a sparkling 441/1 double at Naas today when trainer and rider combined to capture both handicap chases on the card.
The unlikely brace was initiated when 25/1 shot, Mr Ventura took the three miler. A dual hurdle winner, the 10yo mastered second fav, Coolnahilla on the run in, going on to record a 5L win.
Handler David said of his lightly-weighted winner 'he was off for 18 months with leg trouble and was due that having run well in a hurdle at Navan last time.'
Bookmakers, who had been taking quite a hammering got their second result of the day with win number two for the Ryan team, One Four Shannon coming home a 7L winner of the 2m 4f event.
A drifting 16/1 chance, the former 'points' winner had gone into this event with his trainer 'more hopeful than confident' after his charge had taken a 'terrible fall' at Limerick two runs back.
Elsewhere, Paul Carberry was the other jockey in form, recording a double. Indeed he was chasing a three timer but One Four Shannon scuppered his bid aboard runner-up, Native Ray.
The Meath pilot initiated his brace in the beginners chase. Backed from 5/2 to 7/4, Pietro Vannucci came out best in a three-way drive for the line, 1 1/2L separating the first trio.
Introduced into the SunAlliance betting by Paddy Power at 33/1, trainer Noel Meade didn't mention that contest in his post race summation describing the 8yo as a 'bit of a baby.'
Carberry later teamed up with the third Galway winner of the day in the h'cap hurdle. Iggy Madden's 7/4 fav, Supergood cruised home by an effortless 9L, to make it three wins from four starts.
Hardy Duckett, a maiden after eight starts, got off the mark when taking the opener in fine style. Early in the straight several held claims, but Paddy Flood's mount soon streaked away for a 25L win.
Dessie Hughes' said of his market-leading winner 'he was entitled to win but it was a good performance as he's a good ground horse. He's getting stronger but we have no definite plans for him.'
Monterey Bay (2/1 to 6/4) made it three from three for supporters of the 'jolly' in the 3m maiden hurdle. Showing dour determination under Kevin Power the 8yo triumphed by 3/4L over a gallant runner-up.
Frances Crowley, winning handler, commented 'he just gallops and gallops and will either go handicapping now or be put over fences. He'll make a nice chaser as he jumps well.'
A day that began badly for the layers was rounded off when they got their third 'screamer' of the session, Paul Nolan's No Complications (20/1), beating a host of well-fancied rivals in the bumper.
