In-form Ryan drives Native Beat to hard-earned winin Ulster National

IN-FORM Tom Ryan, Ireland’s leading claimer, struck again at Downpatrick when partnering the John Fowler-trained Native Beat to a hard-earned victory over Barkley in the marathon Powers Ulster National.

Ryan was recording his tenth win in the space of two weeks as he kept the virtually unconsidered 12/1 shot going to land the three-and-a-half mile feature in the colours of Daisy Duggan, who has ridden the gelding to success in the past.

Ryan said: “That was hard work. He was never really travelling and I was driving him along a long way from home. He was only fifth running down to the second last, but was always giving me a bit more and stayed on well up the hill.”