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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Ryan seen to good effect on Ben Thomson

Sun 26th Dec 2021, 16:05

Ben Thomson, right, comes homes bestBen Thomson, right, comes homes best
© Photo Healy Racing

Neil Ryan booted home his third winner in a driving finish on board Ben Thomson (5/1f) in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Down Royal.

Noel Meade 's five-year-old gelding prevailed by a head and a neck at the end of two miles and a furlong. Magic Sea (14/1) and Autumn Crusade (12/1) were beaten into second and third respectively.

Ryan said: "He responded well thank God! In fairness, he stuck his head out for me and got it at the line.

"I'm only starting to get going - I was apprenticed to Kevin Prendergast for a couple of years and moved up to Noel's last year and went jumping. I rode my first winner at the Curragh a couple of months back and rode a winner at Navan last weekend so that's my third winner now.

"Noel said to ride my race as I know him well. He wasn't travelling early but he finished it out well."

The Stewards interviewed T. Ryan, rider of runner-up Magic Sea, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted he was in breach of the Regulation. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were satisfied that T. Ryan was in breach of R10.3(f)(force) and R10.3(g)(frequency). Having considered his record they suspended him for three racedays.

The Stewards interviewed B.P. Kennedy, rider of fourth-placed Beat Of The Sea concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted he had breached the Regulation. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were satisfied that B.P. Kennedy was in breach of both R10.3(f)(force) and R10.3(g)(frequency) and considering his record, they suspended him for four racedays.

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.