Raydari holds off Atmospheric High at Dundalk© Photo Healy Racing
Dundalk's polytrack, a change of yard and the application of cheek-pieces have brought out a tremendous transformation in Raydari and he followed-up a course success from a fortnight back in the first split of the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Handicap.
Again Sam James was entrusted with the mount on the Promising Silver Syndicate's Roger Sweeney-trained Aga Khan-bred (bought out of John Oxx's yard for 3,500 guineas at Goffs in October 2011).
The easy-to-back Raydari travelled well to launch his challenge from the two furlong pole. He went on from a furlong and a half out and held off the well-supported Atmospheric High (10s this morning into 9/2, didn't enjoy a trouble free run) by half a length.
Another one of Gordon Elliott's, Formal Bid again showed how well that yard is going, coming home well to finish a further length and three parts back in third.
Cork handler Sweeney commented: "The long trip paid off. He ran better tonight than the last time. He got 8Ibs for the last night and he'll probably get another 8Ibs.
"He won snug and he'll probably come back here in two weeks time."
Raydari's last trainer was wrongly mentioned in one publication after his previous win. Tony Martin had him then for what was predominantly a jumping mission.
Meanwhile Kevin Manning got a 2 day careless riding ban for his effort here on the fifth-placed Hasten (GC & EM)
