First career treble sweeps Rossa Ryan to top of the table in title race

Rossa Ryan put himself in pole position in the race to be Stobart champion apprentice when registering the first treble of his career at Ffos Las on Thursday night.

Victories aboard Sicario, Zalshah and gallant old-timer Swendab – all for different trainers – moved him on to 24 winners for the championship season.

Before racing on Friday night, that was one more than Jason Watson and three more than Callum Rodriguez. Jamie Gormley was next best with 20 winners.

It was a timely reminder of Ryan's prowess in the saddle coming just days after defending champion David Egan, who was running away with it again, pulled out of the chase by taking out his professional licence.

Ryan, who works for Richard Hannon, said on Friday: “It was a great feeling to get the treble. Of course I’d love to be champion apprentice, but I don’t dwell too much on it.

“My main target at the beginning of the season was to ride as many winners as possible and that remains the case.

“I've had plenty of support from the boss, and a lot of other people have given me rides – the likes of John O’Shea, Alexandra Dunn and Phil McEntee. They've all stuck by me.

“Things are going well and hopefully they'll continue to do so.”

Ryan’s rides are booked by agent Guy Jewell, who will be working hard to get him the best opportunities over the next few months.

“Rossa has hit the front, and with David out of the race it has been blown wide open,” he said. “He’s in there with every chance and has the right boss in Richard Hannon to make it happen.”

Rodriguez, who is based with Michael Dods, is also riding at the top of his game, his confidence sky-high after substituting for the injured Paul Mulrennan on several of the stable’s good horses lately.

Callum Rodriguez: has picked up more rides due to Paul Mulrennan's injuryCredit: Edward Whitaker

"It’s all going well,” he said. “I'm getting plenty of rides and winners. With Paul out injured I have picked up more rides and obviously have a better chance of being champion than I did a month ago. It’s wide open – anybody can win it now.”

Rodriguez, who rode a high-profile York double last Saturday for Dods aboard Get Knotted and Davy’s Dilemma, dded: “Michael has given me a lot of rides, and I’m very grateful to him. He has put a lot of faith in me, and that gives you confidence.”

Stobart apprentice title odds

Sky Bet: 7-4 Jason Watson, 11-4 Rossa Ryan, 9-2 Jamie Gormley, Callum Rodriguez, 12 Nicola Currie, 20 Lewis Edmunds, 50 Josh Bryan, Jane Elliott, Conor Murtagh

Coral: 11-10 Rossa Ryan, 11-8 Jason Watson, 7 Callum Rodriguez, 12 Jamie Gormley, 20 Nicola Currie

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