3 minute read
Day to remember for trainer and jockey combination.
Hey Jonesy completed a big sprint double for jockey Kevin Stott and trainer Kevin Ryan in hanging on for victory in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot.
After claiming the Group One Diamond Jubilee Stakes on Hello Youmzain just 35 minutes earlier, Stott and Ryan teamed up to take the feature six-furlong handicap of the week.
The field split into two groups and it was the far side that had the upper hand from the start. Hey Jonesy (18-1) was on the favoured part from stall 10 and led in the final furlong.
However, he was left needing the winning post badly as Summerghand (15-2) came from the stands side to claw back the deficit and just fail. Spanish City (16-1) was third, with Gulliver (12-1) fourth.
Adam Ryan, assistant to his father, said: "For whatever reason the last sort of six months he hasn't clicked, but he came back sound after Tuesday (having finished down the field in the Buckingham Palace Handicap) and we thought running quickly might spark him back to life.
"Kevin gave him a positive ride and it's worked. It was tough watching the final furlong with them closing on him.
"He had some class form as a two-year-old and it's all about catching him right.
"We won't ever forget this last half hour, that's for sure. The last few months have been tough for everyone, but there were no complaints from the staff – this is down to them.
"This is the only day I've been down all week so I got the right day!"
He added: "We have full faith in Kevin we always have, and he's getting better with experience and confidence. The owners are happy to have him and he's an integral part of the team."