McConnell completes double with Aga Khan bred filly

Trainer John McConnell completed a double at Dundalk today as his 42-rated, Aga Khan bred Riliya caused a 22/1 upset under jockey Siobhan Rutledge in the Find Us On Facebook @dundalkstadium Handicap (div II).

By Awtaad and a €4,500 purchase from the Aga Khan as an unraced December two year old, Riliya failed to earn any prizemoney in her eight previous outings but today, under just 8st5lbs, denied hat-trick chasing runner-up Ampeson by a neck.

McConnell later said “that's brilliant - she's not very big and neither is the jockey! I'm delighted and she got a good ride from Siobhan, who was very strong on her. She said she ran all the way to the line against a decent enough horse for that bracket.”

McConnell, earlier successful with Mulgrave added “the filly had her critics over her race career but obviously this is her right trip and she ran very well the last day when she got blocked. She actually got galloped into the back of as well.

“We thought if this hadn't come too soon that she would run well and thought that if she was there turning in that she would stay that trip well.

“She actually is very well bred and is a half-sister to a good horse (Riyazan) so she has some residual value. It's great to get that bracket with her and she might go in again as she's only learning to race now.”

Quotes from Gary Carson