Impressive Diablo gives Ryan quick double John Ryan bagged a quick double at Clonmel this evening when Le Diablo ran out an easy winner of the Botanica International Handicap Hurdle at odds of 33/1. JJ Slevin produced the French-bred gelding to lead on the bridle going to the last flight in the two-miler. He soon settled matters and quickened way on the run-in to record a six length win over Katzoff, without having to be asked any questions. The winner had been pulled up when last seen in action, on his handicap debut, here in early October. "he has a lot of problems but in fairness to JJ's brother Mark (Slevin), who is a top-class vet, he fired his palate which was a huge help,” said Ryan. “I'll give him credit, along with my daughter Gillian who has a huge input and did a lot of flat work with him. "He is a French horse who came through Pat Doyle's academy and was originally a really expensive buy. In fairness to Mark Slevin, he has had a huge say in how this horse is turning out. "That's his owner's (Brendan O'Sullivan) first horse with me. He has had a good few with Willie Mullins and the reason they gave me this horse, was they thought he was no good! "Things could go well now." Ryan had also been on the mark in the preceding event with 16/1 shot My Gaffer. The double paid 577/1. (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
