Masked Dance takes Ripon prize
Kevin Ryan missed seeing Masked Dance bolt home under Darryll Holland in the Racing Again Tomorrow Selling Stakes at Ripon.
The North Yorkshire handler is in Ireland, but will have been thrilled by the performance of the John Fretwell-owned gelding.
The 9-4 favourite has recently been knocking on the door and Holland had him very smartly away from stall 11.
Soon taking command on the far side, he kept up the gallop in great style to pass the post with nine lengths to spare over Drinking Buddy.
Ryan's assistant Joe O'Gorman, who retained the gelding with a bid of 3,800 guineas at the ensuing auction, said: "We won the Listed race at Dundalk for the second year running on Saturday and Kevin stayed over in Ireland looking at horses.
"Masked Dance was wandering about in blinkers so we put cheekpieces on him and that helped him keep straight.
"Darryll gave him a great ride - we all know how good he is riding from the front.
"I think the horse might start progressing now and he could go for a nursery next."
William Buick teamed up with the Michael Jarvis-trained My Verse to win the Wendy Bennett Birthday Celebration Maiden Stakes.
Oneofapear attempted to make all and made a bold fist of it, staying on courageously in the closing stages to see off all challengers apart from the 5-2 joint-favourite, who got the better of him by a neck.
Jarvis' representative Paul Rutter said: "That was very pleasing. William said she was a bit green and looking around so she is still learning.
"This was only her second run and first this season, she has just had a few niggles."
Hold Your Colour made it two from two at the Yorkshire venue after just getting up to take the Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy.
The Brian Meehan-trained juvenile was given a fine ride by Eddie Ahern, who tracked the leaders before launching his assault just inside the final furlong.
Skylla, prominent throughout, could not hold off the challenge of Meehan's 9-2 shot, who went on gamely to record a one-length victory in the Listed heat.
Ahern said: "He's a lovely horse, but he was a slow out of the stalls and was a bit lazy.
"But as soon as I gave him a smack, he really picked up.
"He's still a bit green, and he's got some growing up to do, because he was looking around when he saw the crowd.
"But he's going to be better than a Listed horse."
