Cyrus Dallin defied top weight to win the concluding Paddy's Rewards Club Handicap on the opening day of the season at the Curragh today, scoring for trainer Denis Hogan and jockey Joey Sheridan.

Cyrus Dallins was registering a sixth career win but a first since in September 2019 and afterwards Hogan revealed “all last year he was knocking on the door and was costing us because he ran in all the big handicaps. He finishing midfield, fifth or sixth and we contemplated selling him but had no buyers.”

He added “he loves an ease in the ground and that was his first time winning over that trip.

“I imagine he'll be back up to getting into the big handicaps after that. That'll pay his way for the summer.

“He could go up to seven or a mile on nice ground and there will be more days in him.

“It's great to kick off the season with a winner, we ran a good few. Unfortunately for us we have to get a lot of ours into handicaps whereas some of the bigger yards can drive on with them in maidens.

“We've plenty of horses and it's good to get a winner for Joey (Sheridan) as this could be a good season for him. Hopefully he'll drive on from here.”

Quotes from Gary Carson