Longtime allies successfully combine with well-backed Ryan's Son Combining with longtime ally Liz Doyle, Sean Flanagan guided the well-supported Ryan's Son to victory in the first divide of the Frenchpark Maiden Hurdle. Down the field on his sole previous outing in a bumper at the Punchestown Festival, the Westerner five-year-old was backed from 20/1 into 7s. Settled in mid-division, the Shelsbury Partnership-owned bay still had plenty to do in ninth from four out, but made good headway on the inner approaching the next. Left second and ridden from two out, he edged left before the last and came with his challenge shortly after that flight, ultimately staying on best in the closing stages to beat We're Back Again (33/1) by two-and-three-quarters of a length. Darragh O'Keeffe was aboard the runner-up for Pat Griffin, while Glitz And Glamour (25/1) was another 11-lengths away in third. In front at the time and still travelling nicely, Bhean Saibhre (3/1) blundered at the second last and unseated Peter Smithers, badly hampering Ned In The Park (85/40f). "He pulled too hard in Punchestown. He was still second or third turning in there in a good bumper but David Doyle said he just never dropped it," the winning trainer reported. "We just brought him here today to put manners on him, I was hoping to go back for a bumper. "I just wanted the hurdles to put the manners on him, sit mid-division and let him come home and teach him a bit. He was still a little bit keen but he's got his head in front so it's good. "He's a nice horse but he does everything the wrong way round at the minute. "Sean said he was green and all over the place but he felt he was always going to get there. It's a bit of a surprise. "It's back to the drawing board now. I was looking at a bumper in about three weeks time but we'll go for a rated novice somewhere. He's very green still but jumped superb for a first timer." When still a 3lb claimer, one of Flanagan's first big wins came aboard the Liz Doyle trained Penny's Bill in the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown in 2009. STEWARDS REPORTS * The Raceday Stewards granted permission for Rememberthename, to run in accordance with the provision of Rule 90(v) as positive identification can be made but there are discrepancies in the markings as recorded in the Passport. The Trainer shall have 30 days to update the passport to the satisfaction of an IHRB Veterinary Officer/Assistant. * At the request of the Raceday Stewards, T. Power Roche, rider of Coolboy Christy, trained by P.J. Rothwell, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount has been keen recently and that his instructions today were to drop back to allow his mount to settle, however he ran too keen early on. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
