'We didn't know what we were doing wrong' - Ryan gets Rathbone back on track

Look out Ayr – Kevin Ryan may just have cracked the enigma that is Rathbone.

Angie Bailey's classy sprinter had gone nearly two years without a win before scoring here in May, but a follow-up success under 9st 11lb in the feature 6f handicap suggests he is firmly back on his game.

And his trainer is now eyeing a bid for a fifth Ayr Gold Cup with a five-year-old who he reckons could still be improving.

"We went through a period where we didn't know what we were doing wrong," Ryan admitted.

"But he's grown so much and when he came into the parade ring I couldn't believe how much stronger he'd got and I'd say when we were having a bad time with him he was probably a bit weak.

"There's a fair chance he is going to keep improving and he probably got there a bit early. He's going the right way and I'd like to get him in the Ayr Gold Cup."

Kevin Ryan's Ayr Gold Cup winners

2007 2011 2012 2016 Brando

The winner was ridden by apprentice Oisin McSweeney, as was stablemate Makalu, who finally confirmed the promise of his debut third behind subsequent Royal Ascot winner Chipotle in the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster by taking division two of the novice event.

"Oisin is patient and he listens," Ryan said. "He's a work in progress, that's why he a 7lb claimer, but he's a good lad and he'll get there because he's got the ability.

"He's getting the opportunities now – as the year goes on and horses go up in the handicap you take advantage of a claim."

O'Keeffe on march

Jedd O'Keeffe hopes that landing division one of the two-year-old novice event with Kendred Fire is a sign that he is about to start making up for lost time.

The 12-1 shot was just his eighth Flat winner of the year, and the trainer said: "All our horses seem to have been really slow to come to hand this year. We think we're about there now with them."

O'Keeffe sent out a personal best 31 winners in 2019, and added: "There's been no ill health – I can't explain it at all, but they seem to be thriving now.

"Their coats look good and they seem to be training well so we can start getting a move on now – we've got a lot of catching up to do!"

Jedd O'Keeffe: 'We've got a lot of catching up to do!'Credit: Richard Addison

Five from five

Zagato became the fifth winner from the five foals out of dual Group 1 winner Izzi Top to have raced when taking the mile novice event at 2-7.

Robert Havlin rode the winner for John and Thady Gosden, and said: "Izzi top was a marvellous filly the boss trained, she was unbelievable – if he can get anywhere near that it will be handy!

"He's going the right way now and is enjoying his racing."

Robert Havlin: rode Zagato to victory in the mile novice eventCredit: Edward Whitaker

Former stablemate My Thought, who was sold for 10,000gns to join Tim Easterby last autumn, broke his duck under David Allan in the following 7f handicap.

The trainer's son William had ridden him on his previous start, and he joked: "He's probably just improved for a better jockey, I imagine!

"I hope he'll be able to win a couple more this season."

Results, replays and analysis

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