'It's going to be a tight finish' - James Ryan puts himself in pole position to be crowned champion apprentice with a double

James Ryan put himself in pole position to be crowned champion apprentice jockey as he responded to an early double from Adam Caffrey with one of his own to move two clear in the three-way tussle, which is set to go down to the wire at the Curragh on Sunday.

Caffrey went into the day two behind Ryan and Wayne Hassett but wiped out the deficit when teaming up with Ado McGuinness to steer home a quickfire double. First he galvanised Skontonovski to his third win of the year when he prevailed by a short head in the mile handicap at odds of 100-30, before 11-1 chance Dark Ace got off the mark at the third attempt when landing the 6f maiden half an hour later by a cosy length and three-quarters.

"I'm sure it will go right down to the wire," Caffrey told Racing TV. "I'll keep the head down and give it a good go and take each ride as it comes."

However, his position as joint-leader was short-lived as Ryan hit back immediately on board 7-1 shot Ethical Code, who held on by a short head for Ger Lyons in the 7f maiden.

Ryan's talents were showcased spectacularly in the closing 1m4f handicap as he stylishly guided the Tom McCourt-trained Glyde Ranger to a four-length success despite the 11-2 shot breaking slowly from the gates. 

That brought Ryan to 33 winners, two ahead of Hassett and Caffrey with two meetings left.

Ryan said: "It's going to be a tight finish. I've had a good season either way. Whatever comes, comes but it's been a good campaign."

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