JOHN Ryan got himself off the ‘cold list’ when Grange Walk ran out a game winner of the featured Grade B Holden Plant Rentals Shamrock Handicap Chase at Gowran Park last Saturday.

The Templemore trainer was visiting the winner’s enclosure for the first time since the Listowel festival when the 20/1 shot claimed the €45,000 contest.

Liam Quinlan, partnering his first winner in almost a year, led turning for home on the chestnut but he was headed by Minx Tiara after a mistake two from home.

The eight-year-old rallied well on the run-in to get up in the closing stages for a two-and-a-quarter-length win.

“I thought he was the only horse in the field capable of winning a Grade 2 and the rest were handicappers. He’s a bit more than a handicapper,” said Ryan.

“He’s been a bit of an unlucky sort. Liam gave him a tip top ride. He’s a brave lad over a fence.

“He’ll go to Aintree, the owner (Eddie Gleeson) wants to go there. He’ll go to a two-mile handicap, he’s entitled to go there. He’s a proper two-mile chaser and the (first time) blinkers probably helped a bit.”

The sponsor of the feature race, Paul Holden, saw his colours carried to success earlier on the card when Karuma Grey claimed the second division of the Goresbridge Maiden Hurdle.

The 13/8 favourite Libby skipped clear over the third last in the two-miler but was chased down on the run-in by the Ellmarie Holden-trained gelding.

Diarmuid Moloney partnered the 28/1 winner and said afterwards: “I just kept it simple, he’s quirky so I didn’t bully him and just let him think that he had the run of the race.

“Having something to aim at really helped me as well and he just picked up and JJ (Slevin) came back to me. I kept a bit wider for nicer ground as he was getting a bit stuck down the inside.

“He handled the track and ground lovely, he’s a grand horse for the future.”

The first division of the race had gone to the Gordon Elliott-trained Abbeydale who was produced to lead after the second last by Jordan Gainford.

The 11/2 shot, in the colours of Caldwell Construction, proved too strong for Raglan Road in the closing stages as he posted a length-and-a-quarter success.

“He just kept it simple, Jordan thought dropping back in trip would suit him,” said assistant Ian Amond.

“He rode him handy and said he got a good run around on him down the inner. He had a few nice runs and had a bit of experience.”

HENRY de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore teamed up for a double on the card and Lantry Lady looked a name to remember when making a winning debut in the mares’ maiden hurdle.

The Saint Des Saints filly is out of a half-sister to the great Annie Power and looked very smart herself when winning by a wide margin first time up.

Blackmore sent the 7/2 shot to the front after the second last and she kicked clear before the final flight to post an impressive 14-length success.

The winner is owned by Kieran Mariga and de Bromhead said: “I’m delighted for the Marigas who are great supporters of ours.

“She had been working nicely but in my normal pessimistic way I was telling them that I thought she’d need the run. She was very professional, Rachael was brilliant on her and I’m delighted with her.

“She has a massive pedigree, the guys have some gorgeous mares at home and she was bought to add to their band.”

Ain’t That A Shame completed the brace in the Holden Fleet Management Beginners Chase.

The Robcour-owned gelding went to post an 8/13 shot and made all for a cosy six-length success.

Blackmore said: “He deserved to win that race. It was a good performance and I couldn’t be happier with him.

“He handles those conditions and it was a perfect race for him. It’s nice to get him off the mark over fences.”

Ardera Ru landed her second win of the year when holding the late charge of Early Arrival in the Boylesports Handicap Hurdle.

Eoin Doyle’s charge looked set for a cosy success in the two-and-a-half mile contest when leading before the last and soon kicking a couple of lengths clear under Shane O’Callaghan.

The 14/1 shot only had a neck to spare at the line, however, as her rival ran on strongly to press her close home.

“She’s a consistent mare and we’re having a great winter out of her,” said Doyle. “She has a nice mark over fences, she’s rated 95, and we might look at a chase.

“She obviously wants that ground, we were running her in the summer last year and she wasn’t handling it.”