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John O'Riordan

John O'Riordan

Formal Display makes all to land finale at Gowran for Lyons and Keane

Sat 21st Sep 2024, 17:57

Formal Display added to his previous win at Dundalk Formal Display added to his previous win at Dundalk
© Photo Healy Racing

Having both been amongst the winners earlier in the afternoon, Ger Lyons and Colin Keane teamed up to record doubles when Formal Display made every yard of the running to take the concluding Gowran Park For Golf Race at the Kilkenny track.

A juvenile winner on the all-weather at Dundalk in November, the Juddmonte owned colt had failed to get his head in front on five previous starts on turf prior to this.

Sent straight to the front by the champion jockey, the 10/3 chance found plenty when challenged by Kelbelle over two-furlongs out, staying on strongly to beat that rival by four-and-a-quarter-lengths.

Favourite Rahmi failed to land a blow, eventually staying on for third.

Andrew Duff said: “That's what we've expected all year and it hasn't happened.

“He faced the blinkers, we put them on him the other morning and they really sharpened him up.

“Colin got him out in front and when Colin gets off there there is no pegging him back.

“He's disappointed us all year so that's more like it. The wheels are back on the wagon now.

“He needed that because he was going nowhere. He was good at two and we thought he'd progress. Hopefully this will give him the kick he needs to drive on again.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson.

1st
10/3
Tote €4.34 €1.30
2nd
4.25L
5/2
€1.20
3rd
2.25L
6/5Fav
4th
1.5L
14/1
About John O'Riordan
John has worked for the Press Association since 2022. He also writes a weekly column for The Irish Field and is a regular contributor to the Irish Racing Yearbook. He has previously written for the Racing Post, Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mirror. He has been involved in racing for over three decades; having experience as a syndicate member, sole owner and breeder.