IRISHMAN Tom Ryan, added the $100,000 Thackeray Steeplechase to his palmarès thanks to a stirring finish that saw his mount Gold A Plenty prevail by a nose over I’ll’ava’alf over 3,450 metres at Warrnambool last Sunday.

The son of New Approach had a five-length margin to overhaul at the final turn in to the straight but set to his task with gusto.

“I was worried I was going a bit fierce down to the third last and then I just got a little bit ‘tap for toe’ going for the second last and I said I probably should have just joined the leader but it was his first run over fences for a long time and I was just mindful of it, especially in that heavy ground,” elaborated Ryan.

“But, to be fair to him, when I got stuck into him at the back of the last he found all the way to the line.”

Gold A Plenty is co-trained by Katrina O’Sullivan and her father Terry, with the win registering a fifth for Ryan this season, four adrift of Premiership leader Clayton Douglas.

Warrnambool was host to six jumps races and two high-weight flats on their eight race card.

As no trainer was able to land more than one win, on the day, the only jockey to salute on multiple occasions was Darryl Horner Jnr who landed a treble. The son of trainer Darryl Horner Snr moved to Warrnambool earlier this year to form a partnership with Patrick Ryan.

The pair were active on Sunday landing the maiden steeple with the British-bred John Monash, a one-time Gordon Elliott hurdler, before being nosed out in the feature Thackeray Steeple with I’ll’ava’alf.

Horner also landed winners for Eric Musgrove in the Maiden Hurdle, and Peter Chow in the Highweight Handicap carrying 71kgs.

“I’m loving living in Warrnambool, it’s a great part of the world,” said Horner earlier in the year. “I’ve had a bit of luck in some of the jumping features previously, but I’m hoping to build on that success this season with the help of runners from Patrick’s stable”

Self Sense in Thackeray

OFF the back of a quality flat career, novice hurdler Self Sense, is now undefeated in three starts adding Sunday’s $100,000 Kevin Lafferty Hurdle to his Australian Hurdle win in May.

Trained by former Olympic equestrian David Brideoake, Self Sense won by three and a half lengths under the care of Clayton Douglas.

“He’s a sensational horse, a terrific rider and it was good to watch,” said stable foreman Alex Woodhams.

“His flat ability is absolutely outstanding, he’s taken that next step and it held him in good stead when he was challenged before the turn because he’s finished really well.”

Cully upbeat

on Wells

RICHARD Cully was on hand to test the three-time Grand National Steeplechase winner Wells in a steeple school at Cranbourne last week returning with a ringing endorsement of the rising 11-year-old.

“He’s a year older but I just can’t see it. You wouldn’t know it, riding him. I think he’s absolutely flying,” said Cully.

“Today he jumped onto the bridle and travelled good and he attacked his fences.”

Wells will make his jumps return on July 22nd at Bendigo in the Mosstropper Steeple.