Rivellino takes plenty out of betting ring

The well-backed Rivellino came out on the right side of a thrilling finish the qualified riders' handicap in Laytown.

The seven-year-old gelding, trained by Ado McGuinness, tackled Shepherd's Purse two furlongs out and was soon ridden by Lisa O'Neill to go on and win his race.

However, Seanie (8/1) stayed on stoutly for Derek O'Connor and strongly challenged Rivellino in the closing stages but gave best by a head. Fastidious at 25/1 came in third, two and a quarter lengths adrift.

The winner was 16/1 in the morning and was backed from 9/1 to 11/2 at the track.

Ado McGuinness said: “He'd run two very good races, one of them up the Curragh in the big sprint on Oaks weekend when he finished sixth.

“He's a two time listed winner and has slipped back down the ratings a bit. He'll go back to Dundalk for the winter.

“He's not the easiest horse to train and he needs a very sound surface, his good runs for me have been on a sound surface.

“He's doesn't really act on soft ground and needs it rattling quick. He got it out there and we'll have a bit of fun with him.”

Lisa O'Neill added: "That's actually my first ride on the track. I've been riding here since I was knee high to a grasshopper. My dad always brought horses down here.

"I couldn't ride here as a 7lb claimer so thanks to a good season I was able to ride this year! Nice to get off to a get start.

"I actually said to Ado when I came in that if I got beaten it was my own fault - I got there too soon.

"He can hit a flat spot in his races and he didn't seem to today because he loved the ground and the surface.

"He galloped all the way to the line but just as well it came in time!"

Additional reporting by Gary Carson