Image © Healy Racing
Private Ryan backed up his eye-catching success in the trial race in February by landing the Stanley Asphalt Bishopscourt Cup at Punchestown on Friday.
Private Ryan backed up his eye-catching success in the trial race in February by landing the Stanley Asphalt Bishopscourt Cup at Punchestown on Friday.
Sent off as a well-supported 9/4 shot, Jamie Scallan always had the presenting gelding in the front half of the field as the favourite De Nordener, and Brown Monday took the field along at a steady gallop.
Sean Doyle’s charge began to take closer order from the fifth-last fence, and as the tempo of the race began to increase approaching the home bend, it was the two market principals who came to the fore.
Toni Quail’s mount gallantly tried to repel the challenge of Private Ryan in between the final two fences as he was turned out just three days after finishing fifth in the Ladies Cup, but after the last, it was the fresher legs that won out, with the Henry Chamney-owned Private Ryan taking the spoils by two and three-quarter lengths, with a further eight lengths back to The Blind Piper.
“We ran one in it last year and she wasn’t much good and he [Henry Chamney, owner] said it if could find a horse that he would love to have one for the race,” Doyle said.
“I stumbled across this horse at Doncaster last year, he was being sold at a Dispersal Sale from Nicky Henderson and he fitted the bill.
“He was very good there and hopefully he will develop into a nicer hunter chase than this.
“He was very good in February, and we were giving him one more run and he actually got a cut and there was a bit of a panic on to get him back for this. In fairness to Mouse Murphy, he looked after me and we just barely got him back in time so everyone worked hard together.
“We were trying to keep a lid on Henry for the last few days, he was getting very excited. It is great to see these people get a massive kick out of these races.
