Riyami provides Hogan with 18th winter campaign success The winter campaign at Dundalk just keeps getting better and better for Denis Hogan, with Riyami providing him with his 18th success in the BAR 1 Betting Best Odds Guaranteed Overnight In Shop & Online (Q.R.) Handicap. Available at 22/1 in early shows for this two-mile heat, the Fastnet Rock seven-year-old came in for good market support and was eventually returned a 15/2 chance in the colours of the Carthy, Rogers & O'Brien Partnership. Slightly slow into stride and settled towards rear by Harry Swan, the 69-rated bay made gradual progress on the outer with half a mile to go. Ridden less than two furlongs from home, he ultimately saw it out best in the closing stages, getting to the front inside the final 100 yards before going on to win by a length. Noel Kelly's Echinacea (12/1) got to the front with five-furlongs to go, but ultimately couldn't repel the winner and had to settle for second under Erin Dunseath. Returned the 13/8 favourite, Drucker failed to pick up when required and was a head away in third. "Denis has done a great job with the horse," Swan reflected. "I rode him in this race two years ago and Wrecking Ball Paul went off a million, and we were caught in behind, and finished second that day. "We went a nice gallop, I got him settled in a nice position early on and travelled really well throughout the race. Just when I wanted him turning in, he picked up really well. "I thought I might have left it a little bit late a furlong down, but he hit the line strong. He actually did it well, so I was delighted. "He's a proper dude of a horse as well. "It is a nice one to tick off the list as well, a winner in Dundalk for an amateur is hard done so it is brilliant. It is a nice place to ride a winner. "Definitely (his father Charlie rode plenty on the turf in Dundalk), he had good days as an apprentice before he went jumping. I think he had winners over jumps in Dundalk as well. "Hopefully, I'll have a couple of spins (in Cheltenham) - bumper, Foxhunters and hopefully the Kim Muir as well. Hopefully, three nice ones." STEWARDS REPORTS * The Raceday Stewards granted a request from John J.Nallen, trainer of Minella Mate, for an additional ten minutes to present his charge for identification by an IHRB Official in accordance with Rule 90(i). * The Raceday Stewards interviewed Ms E. Dunseath, rider of Echinacea (GB), concerning her use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted she was in breach of the whip Regulation. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that Ms. E. Dunseath was in breach of R.10.3(g)(frequency) and R.10.3(i)(time to respond). Having considered her clean record in relation to R.10.3(g), they suspended her for six racedays. Having considered her record in relation to R.10.3(i)(second offence), they suspended her for four racedays. * Mr S. Cavanagh, rider of Umala, trained by Robson De Aguiar, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount stopped quickly up the straight. * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Umala, trained by Robson De Aguiar, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. * The Raceday Stewards requested a report from Denis Gerard Hogan, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Riyami, placed first, as compared with its most recent run at Dundalk on the 16th of January. Philip Heenan, Authorised Representative for the trainer reported that his charge had a wind operation since his last run which may have contributed to the apparent improvement in form. Having considered the report the Raceday Stewards noted the explanation given. Additional reporting by Michael Graham
