AMATEUR rider Adam Ryan had an unusual experience last Sunday of riding in a six-furlong race at Chantilly.

The Tipperary man was invited to ride in the closing race on French Derby day by trainer Tim Donworth and his mount finished fourth of the 13 runners.

“It wasn’t that new to me because I ride a lot of sprinters for Andy Slattery, where I am based most days, and I won the six-furlong race at Laytown last year,” he reported.

Adam, who is also associated with the Pat Doyle yard, is best known for his bumper winners and rode two in recent weeks – A Stoirin at Ballinrobe and Gortnaclea Castle in Tramore. Having missed all the big spring festivals through injury, Adam is delighted to be back in action and is available to go back to France – for flat or jumps – if the call comes.