River Vale gives Winters a brace of winners in Naas River Vale (13/2) made it a brace of winners at Naas for trainer Mick Winters when successful in the John Thomas McNamara Series (Qualified Riders) Handicap Hurdle. Luke Burke-Ott sent him on after two out and although plenty of horses lined up to have a crack, they were ridden to do so while Burke-Ott hadn't gone for his mount. Once River Vale jumped the last well, he was ridden to win his race and stayed on well to see it out by two and a-half lengths at 13/2. Club Manager (8/1) renewed his challenge, but was held in second while 12/1 shots Tsavo Park and King Kali completed the placings in third and fourth respectively. Winters said: “He’s a fierce kind horse and everybody is mad about him, and anybody can ride him at home. “He got a hard race over three miles at Fairyhouse and we might have run him a bit soon in Mallow. “I’m delighted for the lad who rode him because he’s in (riding out) seven days a week.” Winters also saddled Shellrunforbriggs to win under Eoin Walsh. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
