Riyami runs away from the opposition© Photo Healy Racing
Riyami bolted up in the second split of Dundalk's two-mile handicap to give Shauna Larkin her first winner on the Flat.
This son of Fastnet Rock finished well for second over 1m4f at this venue last week and found two miles very much to his liking.
He came widest of all into the straight and stormed into contention for Killian Leonard a furlong and a-half down. The pair made good headway to lead on the run to the final furlong and, despite veering left, were well in charge inside the final furlong.
Leonard soon straightened him up and duo sailed in by a more than healthy five lengths to the cheers of favourite backers who took the 9/4. Curious Bride filled the runner-up berth at 4/1 and was a neck in front of 16/1 shot Breagagh
Leonard said: “It's been a quiet year for me. There are a lot of good up and coming apprentices and rides are tight in Ireland.
“I've kept my head down and tried as hard as I could to ride winners, and even get rides. Thank God I was able to get one on the board tonight.
“He's put up a good performance, last Friday night he just failed at the line and he's backed that up tonight. He stays the trip well.
“We didn't go overly strong early on. I was just told to get him to travel as he doesn't really travel in his races.
“In the first half of the race I was behind the bridle most of the way. When they started stepping on the gas a little bit, I was able to go with them and started to come on the bridle from halfway.
“He really enjoyed it and I swung into the race full of horse. When I gave him a squeeze, he really picked up and got to the line well.
“I think he's a versatile horse, any ground/any trip. He was on a winnable mark.
“Hopefully that will set me up. I'm with Donnacha (O'Brien) full-time and he's been good to me, he gives me what he can.
“I'm kept busy there so it's hard to get away and ride for trainers, that's probably why I suffer a little bit to get outside rides. I'm happy there and I'll keep my head down and graft away. Hopefully that winner will set things up for me for the winter.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
