THE Ryan family were celebrating again at Fairyhouse on Tuesday, as Mabel In May provided Ivan Ryan with his first racecourse success.

Just two days after seeing his twin brother James crowned Champion Apprentice on the flat, the amateur rider was making waves himself on the track.

The Conor Maxwell-trained filly came with a strong surge to lead before the last in the concluding handicap hurdle, going on to post a comprehensive seven-and-a-half-length success.

On the 12/1 winner owned by Alison Dalgarno, Maxwell said: “It’s a big day for Ivan, his first track winner. He’s with me six days a week and does a lot for me, as does James.

“His brother won the champion apprentice the other day and it’s a case of ‘if he can do it, I can do better’ kind of thing!

“There is good competition between the two of them and I’m delighted to have been able to get the two boys winners and see them doing well.

“She was a bit disappointing the last day, but never got into it.

“I thought three miles here would really suit her and she won better than I thought she would. It’s great for the owners.”

Gordon Elliott recorded a short-priced double on the card, with Croke Park landing the odds in the opening beginners chase on his first outing over fences.

Elliott’s double

The Gigginstown gelding made all in the three-miler, under Jack Kennedy, and the 2/5 shot kept on well in the closing stages to hold Iris Emery by three-parts of a length.

“Jack said he was only doing what he had to do and he was very idle in front, but there is a lot of improvement in him. It’s a nice starting point,” said Elliott.

“He’ll go with an ease in the ground as well. He could end up back here in the Drinmore.

“We’ll see how he is and see where he slots in, we’ve plenty of horses for that division.”

The Mediator gained an overdue success in the GavinLynchRacing.com Maiden Hurdle, when running out an easy winner.

Kennedy went clear turning for home on the 8/11 shot and he galloped on strongly to post an eight-and-a-half length win over Complete Fiction.

“He deserved to win, as he’s been knocking on the door for a long time. It’s great he won,” said Elliott.

“He’s got loads of ability, but he’s been frustrating.

“We’ll stick him in a handicap now and see what he does.”

A SWITCH to jumping brought success for Space Warrior, as he claimed the three-year-old Maiden Hurdle for Tom Mullins. Danny Mullins was in the plate for his uncle and produced the 15/2 shot to lead before the penultimate flight.

The Belardo colt was a bit untidy at the final flight, but was always doing enough to beat Beyond Your Dreams by a length and a half.

“He was schooling well. I didn’t think he’d win first time out, but sure he did,” said Mullins.

“There is no plan or anything. You’d love to win a flat race with him, but he had a few goes at that and couldn’t.

“He jumped well and Danny was very good on him, he had schooled him at home a few times and was confident with his jumping.

“Danny said there would be more improvement in him, he took another blow today.”

Long Road ahead

What’s Up Darling went to post a short price in the featured Rated Hurdle on the card, but proved no match for impressive winner Any Road.

The Edward O’Grady-trained gelding led before the last in the two-and-a-half-mile contest and soon asserted for an easy eight-and-a-half-length victory under Mark McDonagh.

The 15/2 winner was making his first start since finishing well-beaten in the auction hurdle final at Punchestown and O’Grady said: “To be honest, he was a bit disappointing last year.

“I don’t know what the reason was, but I thought he ran a little bit below par.

“It looks like he’ll have to go straight into a handicap now.

“He should get into the good handicap here at the start of next month, whereas off 125, I didn’t think he’d get in.

“He did very well on the ground, I was very pleased with him.”

Off the mark

In the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase Mullaghmore Wave opened her account over fences for John McConnell.

Alex Harvey produced the 11/2 shot to lead going to the second last and she had enough up her sleeve late on to hold General Hubble by half a length.

“It’s taken a little while for the penny to drop with her jumping, but she was sharp enough today,” said Harvey.

“She really ground it out and the jump at the last probably secured.

“It’s great for the owners (Eithne McMorrow), who have been very patient with her.

“It’s nice they’ve been paid back.”

PATIENCE was rewarded with Tommies Call, as he fulfilled early promises in the first division of the Winter Festival Handicap Hurdle.

Aidan Kelly’s mount travelled well and the 12/1 shot scooted clear before the last for a five-length win in the colours of Andrew McIntyre.

“It’s great to get a win with him, he promised so much (when third) on his first start,” said trainer Jarlath Fahey.

“We thought we did everything right with him, but when he came back, he wasn’t able to put one leg in front of the other. We just decided later in the summer to train him from the field and see if it worked, and it seems to have worked.”

Division two

In the second division of the race, Delias Pet came with a late run to score for the Doyle family. David Doyle got the 7/1 shot up in the closing stages to beat Lariat by half a length.

“She’s a mare that we thought would be doing it at a higher level. She’s a bit inconsistent but on her day she’s good,” said trainer Tim Doyle.

“Even today, when she got to the front he said she was idling, she wasn’t killing herself. She has ability, but doesn’t like going through the pain barrier too much. She loves a bit of nice ground.”