Trainer Ryder is on the mark as Pateen springs a surprise

IT’S been a few years since the Kiltormer area made sporting headlines, but all that changed on the opening evening of the Galway summer festival at Ballybrit thanks to the exploits of local trainer Shane Ryder.

“This is like my Cheltenham,” said the 39-year-old Lawrencetown-based handler after Pateen sprung a 20/1 surprise under three-pound claimer Paddy Kennedy in the Easyfix Handicap Hurdle.

Nibbled at 40/1 in the morning, Pateen was finally backing up his impressive debut victory in a Killarney bumper in May of last year in running out a decisive five and a half lengths winner from the well supported market leader, Artful Artist.

The five-year-old, bred by John Joe Brady in Athenry, was always lying handy in the 20-runner field and went to the front two out before quickly pulling clear. Artful Artist came out of the chasing pack after meeting trouble in running, but never looked like getting on terms.

Mindful of the handicapper’s reaction to Pateen’s emphatic success, Ryder is considering turning out the horse quickly again in a 116-rated handicap hurdle on the closing day of the festival on Sunday if getting the all-clear from owners, Patsy Corcoran and Michael Gilmore from Oranmore.

It was poignant victory, especially coming in Galway, as Patsy’s husband, Dr. Michael Corcoran, who was well known in sporting circles and a keen racing aficiando, sadly passed away in 2016 after a short illness.

“Every local trainer wants to win at the Galway festival and this is my first success here. It’s a nice box to tick and it’s a big boost for the yard,” said Ryder, who is hoping to improve the quality of his 12-strong string in the years ahead and could be represented by the luckless if consistent Garrai Phaidin in the Blazers Chase on Friday.

On a difficult evening for punters with only one favourite obliging and a host of gambles going astray, there were more local celebrations when front-runner Pearl Of The West made short work of her rivals in the Eventus Handicap.

Carrying the colours of Athenry’s Martin Cullinane, a respected local trainer and breeder, Pearl Of The West had little difficulty in supplementing her winnings last time out at Gowran Park.

This progressive sort is trained by Carlow-based Pat Fahy, a native of Athenry, and he may be tempted to step Pearl Of The West up in class by having a crack at the Cork Oaks next. Fahy was ending a long dose of seconditis at the festival since his previous winner, Publican, over a decade ago.

Successful owner Cullinane was delighted his charge, returned at 6/1, came up trumps at his local track. “It’s easier owning them than training them. She stays all day and always runs well.”

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.