Loughnane firing on all cylinders

This is often the time of year when small Flat yards make it to the top of the table and this week Newmarket’s John Ryan (not to be confused with the Tipperary trainer of the same same) has reached No.1.

He has four entered at Southwell and one at Fakenham on Thursday.

Worcestershire’s Mark Loughnane is going great guns and has been for some time. His seven allweather winners from 23 runners means that he is striking at 30 per cent.

With the Dublin Racing Festival beginning on Saturday it is interesting to see Gavin Cromwell hitting a purple patch with seven winners from 29 sent out. He has plenty entered for Leopardstown while, closer to home, he could send as many as four horses to Musselburgh on Sunday.