Shining Aitch and James Ryan (near side)© Photo Healy Racing
Apprentice James Ryan added to Friday's evening's breakthrough Dundalk treble with another success at the venue today, landing the Dundalk Stadium Celebrates 20 Years Handicap on Shining Aitch (18/1) for retained trainer Tom McCourt.
Ryan, successful last week for trainers Jack Davison, Michael O'Callaghan and Ger Lyons, today registered a 22nd career win for McCourt when guiding grey gelding Shining Aitch to a half-length win over Comfort Line
McCourt heaped praise on the jockey and said “James is signed on to me and has been with me from when he was at school. I couldn't wait to get him signed on and put him up on everything more or less straight away.
“He's incredibly good through a race - if he is not where you want him to be, there is a reason for it. He rides on feel."
McCourt, who himself partnered Champion Hurdle winner For Auction to a bumper success, added "the owners were wanting to pull out with Shining Aitch a while ago but I couldn't see him not winning a race. He's the best horse I have which hadn't won!
"I couldn't understand what was going wrong as he has worked very well. He has shown glimpses of form, had two very good runs with Dylan Browne McMonagle around Navan and then just seemed to go off again.
"I just couldn't put a finger on it but as it has turned out, we have come down in the handicap and we might be able to get another one or two with him now. I bought him as a dual-purpose horse for jumping, when he was rated over 70, but he has to have top of the ground or run here."
Quotes from Michael Graham
